Pep Guardiola is expected to step down as Manchester City manager at the end of the season, bringing a close to a transformative decade at the Etihad Stadium. The decision, though not yet officially confirmed by the club, is widely anticipated within City circles, with an announcement likely before Sunday's final-day clash against Aston Villa. His former assistant Enzo Maresca, out of work since leaving Chelsea in January, is poised to succeed him, inheriting a squad built in Guardiola's image but facing the daunting task of following a legend.
Guardiola's tenure, which began in July 2016 after joining from Bayern Munich, has redefined English football. After a third-place finish in his debut campaign—memorably declaring himself "not a coach for the tackles" after a defeat at Leicester—he masterminded an era of unprecedented dominance. City amassed a record 100 points in the 2017-18 Premier League season and delivered a domestic treble the following year. The crowning moment came in 2023, when they secured a famous treble: the league, Champions League, and FA Cup. In total, Guardiola has captured six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, and one Champions League, with his latest silverware arriving just days ago via a 1-0 FA Cup final victory over Chelsea at Wembley.
The Catalan signed a contract extension through 2027 in November 2024, citing the team's then-stuttering form as a motivator. "I didn't want to let the club down," he said at the time. "I felt I could not leave now." Yet despite that commitment, momentum has shifted, and his departure with a year remaining on his deal now appears inevitable. The reasons remain closely guarded, but the relentless pressure of sustaining success, combined with the natural cycle of a squad that may need refreshing, likely factor into the timing. Guardiola's exit would mark the end of an era not just for City but for the Premier League, where his tactical innovations—from inverted full-backs to false nines—have left an indelible mark.
Compounding the narrative is the immediate context: City remain locked in a gripping title race with Arsenal. They travel to Bournemouth on Tuesday and host Villa on Sunday, needing maximum points and an Arsenal stumble at Crystal Palace to snatch a fourth consecutive league crown. The FA Cup triumph, secured through a gritty display at Wembley, was Guardiola's third in the competition and kept alive hopes of a domestic double—or even a treble, should the league trophy follow. A parade is already scheduled for Monday 25 May, where both the men's and women's teams will celebrate their achievements; City's women have won the Women's Super League and could add the Women's FA Cup on 31 May.
Maresca's impending appointment returns a familiar face to the helm. The Italian served as Guardiola's assistant during the 2022-23 treble-winning season before departing to manage Chelsea, where an up-and-down spell ended in his dismissal earlier this year. His philosophy aligns closely with Guardiola's possession-based, high-pressing style, but he will inherit a squad that may require rejuvenation. Key figures like Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker are in their thirties, and the departure of Guardiola could trigger further exits or a reshaping of the roster. Maresca's ability to manage that transition while maintaining City's trophy-winning habit will be under immediate scrutiny.
Speaking ahead of the FA Cup final, Guardiola was characteristically playful when asked if his last Wembley appearance might carry extra emotion. "No way. No way. I have a one year [left on my] contract," he said. "I'm so disappointed that they don't make a stand for Pep [at Wembley], the number of times I've been there—at least a lounge or a box. Maybe I go 24 more times." The quip belied the gravity of the moment, but it also underscored his deep connection to a club he has transformed. City's planned celebration next week will now carry an added layer of farewell, as supporters prepare to honour a coach who delivered 16 major trophies.
For the league, Guardiola's departure would close a chapter defined by his tactical arms race with Jürgen Klopp and, more recently, Mikel Arteta. His City side set new standards for consistency and style, forcing rivals to adapt or be left behind. The potential arrival of Maresca introduces uncertainty—can a manager with one full season of Premier League experience sustain this dynasty? City's hierarchy, led by chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, will bank on continuity of philosophy, but the intangible qualities of Guardiola's leadership are irreplaceable.
As the season reaches its climax, the Guardiola era hangs in the balance. Two victories might not be enough to deny Arsenal, but they would ensure that if the Gunners falter, City are ready to pounce. The script feels fitting for a manager who has thrived on tension and drama. Regardless of the outcome, his legacy is secure: a reimagining of how football is played in England, a haul of silverware that rivals the greatest dynasties, and a bond with fans that will endure long after his final team talk. All that remains is the formality of an announcement, and then the curtain call at the Etihad on Sunday.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.
