Pep Guardiola to leave Man City at end of the season - reports

LONDON – There has yet to be an official announcement, but Manchester City will soon experience a seismic change with Enzo Maresca ready to take over the hot seat following a prolonged period of Pep Guardiola’s leadership.

City manager Guardiola is set to bring his trophy-laden decade in charge of the club to an end this weekend, according to multiple reports on May 18.

The 55-year-old has won six Premier League titles and City’s first Champions League among 20 trophies since arriving in England in 2016.

He could add one more to his tally if City win their final two matches of the season against Bournemouth and Aston Villa and Arsenal fail to beat Crystal Palace on Sunday’s final round of Premier League fixtures.

The Daily Mail and The Athletic reported that the Spaniard will step down after the visit of Villa to the Etihad.

City have made no comment on the speculation.

However, the club have arranged a parade through Manchester on May 25 to celebrate their League Cup and FA Cup triumphs this season, which could act as a farewell to Guardiola.

Former Chelsea boss Maresca, who worked on Guardiola’s staff at City, is reportedly in line to take over next season. Football expert Fabrizio Romano has said an initial three-year deal is in place for the Italian.

The City boss was asked before last Saturday’s trip to Wembley for their FA Cup win over Chelsea if that match will be his last visit to the stadium.

“No way,” he said, as quoted by the BBC, reminding reporters he had “one more year” on his contract.

In another interview with BBC Sport, when asked if he will still be at the club next season, he replied: “Yeah. I am here, I have a contract.”

The same question was asked before Tuesday’s trip to Bournemouth, referencing Cherries manager Andoni Iraola’s impending departure from the club and if Guardiola had also thought the same about his future.

He said: “Next (question). So many times (I have said) – I have one more year.”

Guardiola has one more year remaining on his contract but rumours that he was set to depart at the end of the season have circulated for months.

After a first trophyless season for seven years in the 2024/25 campaign, a rejuvenated City have bounced back.

Victory over Chelsea in last weekend’s FA Cup final completed a domestic Cup double and they could still usurp Arsenal for a seventh league title in nine years.

Guardiola arrived in England as already one of Europe’s most decorated coaches.

His four-year spell at boyhood club Barcelona between 2008 and 2012 captured admirers across the globe, winning two Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles.

He added three more league titles in three seasons at Bayern Munich.

A similarly short spell was expected when City lured him to the Premier League.

But his influence has transformed the English game at all levels over the past 10 years.

Backed by the deep pockets of Abu Dhabi royalty, City have stepped out of the shadow of local rivals Manchester United to become the dominant force in England.

Guardiola’s brand of passing football has been copied from grassroots through to the elite level.

Even City’s competitors have turned to his disciples to catch up.

Arsenal, managed by Guardiola’s former assistant Mikel Arteta, are on the brink of their first league title in 22 years.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has said his coaching philosophy was shaped by watching the City boss’ Barcelona team, while new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso moved to Bayern in the final years of his playing career to gain the experience of working under Guardiola.

The timing of Guardiola’s exit comes with the outcome of an investigation into more than 100 alleged breaches by City of financial regulations still to be released.

First charged by the Premier League in February 2023, an independent commission hearing concluded in December 2024 with the case hanging over City’s achievements on the pitch ever since.

On Maresca, Guardiola had said previously: “One of the best managers in the world, Enzo Maresca, I know him quite well, but the job he has done at Chelsa does not get enough credit.

“Winning the Club World Cup, Conference League, qualification for the Champions League in a league that is so tough with a young team. It is exceptional.” AFP