Manchester City are quietly preparing for life without Pep Guardiola following the season’s conclusion, according to sources briefed on the club’s internal contingency planning. Despite the manager’s insistence that he retains a contract through next season, BBC Sport understands that club staff and squad members are operating under the assumption his tenure will end after Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Aston Villa.
Internal Planning Underway
The preparations extend beyond mere speculation. City have begun considering how best to commemorate a decade of unprecedented dominance under Guardiola’s stewardship, while simultaneously identifying his successor. Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who spent time working alongside Guardiola during his City days, has emerged as the frontrunner to assume the role.
Guardiola’s public statements have offered little clarity on the matter. When pressed on Friday whether his trip to Wembley for Saturday’s FA Cup final might represent his last visit, he dismissed the suggestion firmly. “No way,” he responded, pointing to the year remaining on his contract. Similar assurances came during a pre-final interview with BBC Sport, when asked directly if he would remain next season. “Yeah,” he confirmed. “I am here, I have a contract.”
Yet the disconnect between his public messaging and internal club operations suggests either a significant change in circumstance or a managed transition being orchestrated behind closed doors. The timing proves intriguing given City’s domestic cup success this season—they have already secured both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup—leaving a Premier League title within reach as a potential parting trophy.
A Decade of Unprecedented Dominance
Guardiola’s decade at Etihad Stadium has fundamentally reshaped English football’s competitive landscape. He has accumulated 17 major trophies across all competitions, including six Premier League titles, a Champions League crown, three FA Cups and five EFL Cups. His 2017-18 side became the first to breach 100 points in a single Premier League season while scoring a then-record 106 goals. The 2022-23 campaign saw City complete only the second English Treble in history, matched only by Manchester United in 1998-99. Most recently, they became the first side to win four consecutive league titles, a feat achieved in the 2023-24 season despite ongoing financial fair play investigations.
AdvertisementThe manager arrived at City in February 2016 following three successful years at Bayern Munich, where he captured three consecutive Bundesliga titles and two German Cups. His Barcelona period, spanning 2008 to 2012, established him as a tactical innovator of the highest order, winning three La Liga titles, two Champions Leagues and two Copa del Reys before taking a sabbatical.
Maresca Emerges as Front-Runner
A two-year contract extension signed in November 2024 was supposed to secure his services through the 2026-27 season, yet the club’s apparent preparations suggest circumstances may have shifted considerably in recent months. Whether Guardiola’s departure represents mutual agreement, burnout after a decade of relentless excellence, or something else entirely remains unclear—though City’s contingency planning indicates a significant transition awaits.