Manchester City could be nearing the end of the Josep Guardiola era, with new reports suggesting the club are preparing for life after the legendary manager.
According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the feeling within City is that unless there is a late change, Guardiola will leave at the end of the season, with preparations already in place for manager Enzo Maresca to replace him.
This has not yet been officially confirmed by Manchester City. In fact, Guardiola recently insisted he has no intention of leaving the club before his contract expires in 2027, saying he intends to see his contract through to the end.
The situation is a bit confusing as Guardiola’s public message is very different from the recent transfer window hustle and bustle.
Will Josep Guardiola leave Man City?
If Guardiola were to leave, it would be the biggest managerial change in modern football.
Since arriving in 2016, he has completely reshaped Man City and English football in general.
City have become a winning machine under him, not just because of his spending, but because of the standards, tactical detail and dominance he built week in and week out.
That’s why it’s almost impossible to replace him. City aren’t just looking for a good coach.
They need someone who understands the structure of the club, the style of play, the demands of possession football and the pressure to keep winning.
That’s what Maresca means. He already knows City very well. He previously worked in the club’s system, managing an elite development team and winning Premier League 2 in the 2020/21 season.
He then won the championship with Leicester and gained promotion to the Premier League, demonstrating his managerial skills.
Maresca would be the ideal replacement for Guardiola
His football always incorporates Guardiola-style ideas: building from the back, dominating possession, using opposite full-backs and controlling the game through the midfield.
His time at Chelsea was more complicated, but it also showed his quality.
He guided Chelsea back to the Champions League in fourth place, won the UEFA Conference League and hosted the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in 2025.
However, his time at Stamford Bridge ended in early January 2026 after tensions with the club’s ownership.
That background makes him an interesting option for City. He is no accidental outsider.
He has experience working within the City model, understands Guardiola’s football, and is someone who has already dealt with big clubs in the Premier League.
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