Pep Guardiola to leave Manchester City: Who could possibly replace the managerial great

Pep Guardiola is set to leave Manchester City at the end of this season, bringing a close to a 10-year spell that yielded 20 major trophies, six Premier League titles, and the club's first Champions League in 2023. Multiple sources confirm the Catalan is preparing to depart, with former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca emerging as the frontrunner to take charge. City still have two league games remaining, against Bournemouth and Aston Villa, and could yet win a seventh title if they overturn Arsenal's two-point lead.

Who will replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City?

Enzo Maresca is now the clear favourite to succeed Pep Guardiola at the Etihad. The Athletic first reported in December that he was high on City's shortlist, as the club quietly accepted Guardiola's exit was coming. Maresca had spoken to City representatives about the role on at least two separate occasions before leaving Chelsea on January 1, despite holding a contract there until 2029.


The 46-year-old Italian is no stranger to the club. He managed City's Under-21 side in 2020-21 and later returned as a first-team assistant under Guardiola in 2022. His head coaching record speaks for itself: he took Leicester to the Premier League, then guided Chelsea to Champions League qualification while also winning the Conference League and Club World Cup in his debut season. His time at Stamford Bridge ended abruptly, but the destination was always signposted.

Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, deflected questions about his future with characteristic brevity. Asked before the FA Cup final whether it would be his last trip to Wembley as City manager, he replied simply, "One more year of contract." After the win over Chelsea, a TNT Sports reporter pushed him again. "Rumours?," he responded, before walking off. "Have a lovely evening."

What does Pep Guardiola's exit mean for Manchester City's future?

City's timing here is complicated. The club still faces the long-running Premier League investigation into more than 115 alleged financial breaches, with no verdict yet delivered. City deny all charges. Director of football Txiki Begiristain, a key Pep Guardiola ally, left last summer, with Sporting CP's Hugo Viana now in his place. The architecture around Guardiola has already shifted.

On the pitch, City have not been the dominant force of recent years. They finished 13 points behind Liverpool last season, were eliminated from the Club World Cup by Al Hilal, and began this calendar year with four consecutive Premier League games without a win. The FA Cup and Carabao Cup have provided some relief, but the consistency that defined their peak years has been harder to find.

The final home game of the season against Aston Villa on May 24 could still deliver a title. Whether it does or not, it will mark the end of a managerial tenure unlike anything English football has seen.

Stay updated with the latest IPL Live Score Score, IPL news on Times of India. Follow the IPL Schedule, check the IPL Points Table, and track the race for the IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple Cap.