Manchester City's trophy parade and after-party on Monday blended celebration with sentiment, as fans honored a season of success and said goodbye to Pep Guardiola.
A day after Guardiola's final game in charge after a trophy-laden decade, thousands lined the streets in searing heat and clouds of sky-blue confetti, climbing street lights and crowding every vantage point for a glimpse of the Spaniard who had defined an era.
The League Cup and FA Cup trophies gleamed atop the open-top buses, but it was the 55-year-old Guardiola - waving and smiling - who drew the loudest roars.
"Devastated. I wanted him to stay for 10 more years to be fair, get every trophy," said 16-year-old fan Hadley Partridge.
For Lisa and Steve Evans, whose family have been season ticket holders for more than 20 years, Guardiola's departure resonated across generations. "He changed football in England," Steve said.
Erling Haaland, who won the league's Golden Boot for the third time in four seasons, reflected on departing stalwarts captain Bernardo Silva and John Stones: "Two legends in the club."
City's women, crowned Women's Super League champions earlier this month, celebrated atop their own buses. "We worked so hard throughout the season, to finally get our hands on the trophy, it's just an amazing feeling," said Khadija "Bunny" Shaw.
Players sprayed champagne as the open-top buses fed onto the arena floor where a sold-out crowd of 17,000 waited at the Co-Op Live arena. Former players Vincent Kompany, Fernandinho, and Jack Grealish, plus Guardiola's three children and Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher, paraded Guardiola's 20 trophies across the stage.
The night featured video tributes including one from NBA legend Michael Jordan: "I want to congratulate you on an unbelievable career, enjoy your retirement."
Guardiola departs having delivered trophies and style, but also a connection that left adults in tears and teenagers wishing for another decade. "I feel the connection that this club (has) from the first minute," Guardiola told the crowd. "Thank you so much, I don't have enough gratitude."