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Dear @PepTeam,
There is a very good chance you will not see this post and for good reason. Mine is but one among the outpouring of love, gratitude, and tribute to you, our greatest manager ever, the greatest manager of all time.
When I began my journey as a City fan in '02, we were nowhere near what we are today. And the choice to follow this club, made in spite of my United-supporting dad, was not made with success or guarantees of trophies in mind.
I still remember becoming enamoured with Sun Ji Hai, seeing him soldier on with blood streaming from his head against Southampton. The FA cup replay comeback against Tottenham in '03, perhaps my favorite City game ever. My love-hate relationship with Joey Barton began that day. Despite our struggles in the following years, I didn't care. Friends would tease me, wearing their red shirts, and I didn't care. Maybe I didn't know any better but City was my team and that's all that mattered. These were the early memories of City that still bring my happiness.
I did wonder though when and if our time would ever come. I remember telling my dad over and over again that one day, it'll be different. And as dad's do, he'd laugh, roll his eyes, and say "sure." Even when word of Sheikh Mansour's takeover broke, I didn't really care because I didn't know what to think of it. And I had no idea how much everything was about to change.
An FA Cup followed. And seeing Aguero score against QPR to win us our first title in 44 years was a feeling I thought I'd never replicate. A dream come true. But to not only match but exceed that feeling? Not a chance.. at least I thought. And yet, I was happy.
I still dreamed of winning the UCL. Trebles? B2b titles? Centurions? Truthfully, they weren't even dreams because I couldn't even dream that big. Things that weren't even in the realm of my wildest imagination.
But then, you came. And how am I to thank you for making the unfathomable a reality? What so many younger fans call "the standard" now?
In many ways, I'll look back at this period of life as one of my happiest in memory. Beyond the trophies, the success, the records broken, the best days of my life to date took place while you were here. I started my company the year you arrived, married the love of my life the year of the treble, was blessed with news of my son shortly after the 4peat, started a second company, and through it all, the ups and downs of adulthood, you and City were a constant. A getaway, a reprieve from everything. After 20 years of following this club, still MY team.
And I think that's part of what made you and your tenure so special. What makes it personally harder, more emotional to see you go. This wasn't just a job for you in the same way City isn't just a club for me. Call it love, family, whatever you want. The success made it sweeter but the way you embraced us, the City, the organization.. you leave me, us, everything in a better place to the best of your ability.
While it felt like you and City were meant to be forever, it seems surreal that we've run out of time together. Despite all the bravado and contrarian posts to dispute the noise, I had a gut feeling that this was coming sooner than later. And even though I've said a lot already, I feel it isn't sufficient.
There will never be enough words to truly thank you.
I am endlessly grateful for you and your impact at my club, in my life. And I cannot wait to proudly be able to tell my son stories of just how legendary the Pep years were.
Sincerely,
A grateful fan.
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