News Focus
- Manchester City expect Pep Guardiola to leave the club after the final match against Aston Villa this Sunday.
- Enzo Maresca, who previously coached Chelsea and worked under Guardiola, is the leading candidate to take over.
- The club is planning special celebrations to mark the end of Guardiola’s ten-year reign.
- Several key players including Bernardo Silva and John Stones have already confirmed their summer exits.
- Guardiola took charge of 593 matches for City, a club record, and won 17 major trophies.
Manchester City are making plans for life without Pep Guardiola. Reports indicate the Spanish boss will step down from his role following this weekend’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa.
Club officials maintain that Guardiola has a valid contract for the 2026-27 season. However, sources close to the Etihad Stadium suggest that staff and players are working on the assumption that Sunday will mark his final game in charge.
The club has already started preparing farewell events to honour their most successful manager. Guardiola has collected 17 major honours during his decade in Manchester, including six league titles and the Champions League.
Former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has emerged as the favourite to replace him. Maresca previously served as a coach under Guardiola at City, giving him inside knowledge of the club’s systems.
Recent weeks have seen several stars depart, signalling the end of an era. Club captain Bernardo Silva and defender John Stones will leave when their contracts expire. Last summer, Kevin De Bruyne moved to Napoli, while Ederson joined Fenerbahce in Turkey.
Guardiola’s behaviour during Saturday’s FA Cup final victory over Chelsea fuelled further speculation. He posed for individual photographs with every member of his backroom staff while holding the trophy. Television cameras also captured him staring into the crowd during the celebrations.
When asked on Friday if the Wembley final would be his last, Guardiola insisted he had “one more year” remaining on his deal. However, his tone and swift exit from the press room suggested otherwise to many observers.
Should Sunday prove to be his farewell, Guardiola will conclude his City career with 593 matches managed. This is more than any other boss in the club’s history. His side could still secure a seventh Premier League title to add to their FA Cup and Carabao Cup triumphs this season.