Pep Guardiola will step down as manager at the end of this season, with Enzo Maresca set to take his place, according to a prominent source at X.
The report suggests that Manchester City have been secretly preparing for the move and have reached a detailed agreement with the former Chelsea manager to return to the Etihad.
Download the official CaughtOffSide app to get all the latest news and updates straight to your phone. above apple & Google play
Enzo Maresca set to take over from Pep Guardiola
A report from Hands of Arsenal, a prominent source of information on
Internal preparations are reportedly so advanced that discussions have even surfaced about naming the stand in his honor.
Despite the magnitude of this change, mainstream sports journalism has remained silent. The report blamed the silence on Guardiola’s “erratic personality” and suggested journalists feared a last-minute U-turn could put his professional reputation at risk.
Although the club is expected to deny these claims, it is believed that the framework for a ‘post-Pep’ era has already been completed, with Maresca chosen as his successor to lead the tactical evolution.
Why Enzo Maresca is the best choice
Maresca is no stranger to the inner workings of City Football Group.
Having served as Guardiola’s assistant during the club’s historic Treble-winning campaign, he is familiar with the club’s philosophy and tactical demands.
His coaching style, often described as ‘Pep-lite’, emphasizes positional play, opposite full-backs and suffocating possession, elements already deeply embedded in the team’s current DNA.
By appointing Maresca, City will ensure continuity rather than a shaky rebuild, allowing the team to transition seamlessly into a new era under a manager who knows the club well.
Josep Guardiola’s political position suggests he is ready to leave Man City
Speculation about Guardiola’s departure has been fueled not only by his fatigue as a manager but also by his increasingly vocal stance on world issues.
Guardiola has recently used his platform to address sensitive political topics, including repression in Palestine and Sudan.
His comments about Sudan are particularly interesting given his current situation.
His willingness to speak out on Sudan issues shows that he no longer cares how the geopolitical interests of club ownership are reflected in the club.
This perceived change in his public persona coincides with the narrative that he is prepared to walk away from the club whose owners are accused of sponsoring repression in Sudan.
