Pep Guardiola Reportedly Set to Leave Manchester City as Enzo Maresca Emerges as Leading Successor

KUALA LUMPUR,MAY,2026 – Pep Guardiola’s future at Manchester City has become one of the biggest football stories in Europe, with reports claiming that the Spanish manager could leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season despite still having a contract that runs until 2027.

According to the report carried by Sudutpandang.id, Guardiola is said to have made a decision regarding the end of his long managerial spell with Manchester City, although the club is still believed to be hoping that he will remain until the end of his current deal. The report also stated that speculation surrounding Guardiola’s future has continued to grow in recent months, especially after years of intense pressure at the highest level of European football.

Sky Sports News also reported that Guardiola is expected to leave Manchester City after their final Premier League game of the season, citing sources close to the situation. However, there has still been no official confirmation from either Manchester City or Guardiola himself, meaning the situation remains developing and should be treated as a major football report rather than a confirmed club announcement.

Guardiola’s current contract was only extended in November 2024, when Manchester City confirmed that the Catalan coach had signed a new two-year deal that would keep him at the club until the summer of 2027. At that time, City described the extension as a continuation of one of the most successful eras in the club’s history, with Guardiola already having delivered multiple Premier League titles, a UEFA Champions League trophy, and several domestic honours.

The latest development has therefore created major uncertainty around Manchester City’s long-term project. Guardiola has been more than just a manager for the club. Since arriving in 2016, he has reshaped City’s identity, introduced a highly detailed possession-based system, and turned the team into one of the most dominant forces in English football.

Under his leadership, Manchester City became the first men’s team in English football history to win four consecutive top-flight league titles. The club also reached its greatest modern achievement during the 2022/23 season, when Guardiola guided City to a historic Treble by winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League in the same campaign.

His impact has not only been measured in trophies. Guardiola changed the standard of English football through tactical innovation, squad rotation, positional play, and an aggressive pressing system that forced many Premier League clubs to adapt. City’s dominance under him helped redefine what it takes to compete at the top level in England and Europe.

Despite that success, reports now suggest that Guardiola may be ready to step away from the role after nearly a decade of constant pressure, expectation, and elite-level competition. Sudutpandang.id noted that Guardiola had previously given signals about the possibility of taking a break from football management after such a long period at the highest level.

If Guardiola does leave, Manchester City will face one of the most important managerial transitions in modern Premier League history. Replacing a figure of his influence will not simply be about appointing a new head coach. The club will need to protect the playing philosophy, dressing-room culture, transfer planning, and winning mentality that have defined the Guardiola era.

Enzo Maresca has emerged as one of the names strongly linked with the Manchester City job. Sky News reported that City have been making preparations in case Guardiola leaves, with Maresca seen as the most likely successor. The Italian coach has a strong connection with City, having previously worked as part of Guardiola’s coaching staff during the club’s Champions League-winning period.

Maresca’s familiarity with Manchester City’s tactical structure could make him a logical candidate. He understands the club’s football philosophy, has worked inside Guardiola’s system, and is known for a possession-based style that shares similarities with City’s established identity. His appointment, if it happens, would likely be viewed as an attempt to ensure continuity rather than a complete tactical reset.

However, taking over from Guardiola would be an enormous challenge for any manager. The expectations at Manchester City are extremely high, and the next coach will be judged not only on results, but also on whether he can maintain the same level of control, consistency, and dominance that Guardiola has built over the years.

For City supporters, the report marks a potentially emotional turning point. Guardiola’s time at the Etihad has produced unforgettable moments, from record-breaking Premier League campaigns to the long-awaited Champions League triumph. His relationship with the club has been built on success, ambition, and a shared desire to keep pushing football standards higher.

At the same time, the uncertainty also creates questions about the future of several key players, transfer plans, and the club’s direction heading into the next campaign. A managerial change of this size could influence squad decisions, recruitment strategy, and the roles of senior players who have been central to Guardiola’s system.

For now, Manchester City have not officially confirmed Guardiola’s departure. Reports indicate that discussions with the club’s leadership are expected to be crucial before any final announcement is made. Until then, Guardiola remains Manchester City manager under a contract that runs until 2027, while speculation continues to dominate football headlines.

If the reports prove accurate, Guardiola’s exit would mark the end of one of the greatest managerial eras in Premier League history. His legacy at Manchester City would stand as a period of extraordinary success, tactical evolution, and sustained dominance. The next chapter, whether led by Enzo Maresca or another candidate, will determine how City move forward after the manager who changed the club’s modern history.