Manchester City have officially confirmed that five key members of Pep Guardiola's coaching staff will leave the club at the end of the season, marking a sweeping overhaul as the Catalan manager's own departure draws near. The announcement, made public on Tuesday, sends a clear signal that the club is preparing for a new era without the most successful manager in its history.
The list of departing assistants includes Pepijn Lijnders, Kolo Touré, Lorenzo Buenaventura, Manel Estiarte, and Xabi Mancisidor. This mass exit represents the dissolution of a backroom team that has been instrumental in delivering an unprecedented period of domestic dominance, including multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, and EFL Cups. The timing suggests a clean break rather than a gradual transition, a move that will demand a comprehensive rebuild from the incoming manager.
Pep Lijnders, the Dutch coach who only arrived at the Etihad last summer, has notched a swift and successful, if brief, tenure. He contributed immediately to triumphs in the FA Cup, EFL Cup, and Premier League, adding to his already glowing reputation. Before joining City, Lijnders was best known for his long spell as Jürgen Klopp's right-hand man at Liverpool from 2015 to 2024, a period interrupted only by a six-month head coach role at NEC Nijmegen in the Eredivisie. His tactical acumen and training-ground intensity made him a coveted figure, and his departure will leave a creative void.
Kolo Touré's exit is equally symbolic. The former Ivorian defender, a Premier League legend with Arsenal's "Invincibles" and a later title winner with City as a player, had transitioned into coaching with the club. His deep understanding of the squad's culture and his experience as a top-level defender offered invaluable mentorship to the current playing staff. Touré's next move will be keenly watched, as his coaching career continues to ascend.
Alongside them, Lorenzo Buenaventura—the revered fitness coach who has worked with Guardiola for over a decade across Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and City—will also depart. Buenaventura's methods have been credited with keeping City's high-intensity style physically sustainable over grueling seasons. Manel Estiarte, Guardiola's long-time confidant and former water polo legend, has served as an essential man-management sounding board. Goalkeeping coach Xabi Mancisidor, a steady presence behind Ederson and others, will also seek new challenges. This collective departure severs nearly all of Guardiola's trusted inner circle.
The backdrop to this exodus is Pep Guardiola's own confirmed exit at season's end, a decision that has loomed over the club's entire campaign. Guardiola's legacy is unparalleled: he transformed Manchester City from a rising force into a European superpower, instilling a philosophy that revolutionized English football. Losing him—and now virtually his entire staff—presents an existential challenge to the structure he built.
Replacing a figure of Guardiola's magnitude is a daunting task, but the early front-runner is Enzo Maresca. The Italian, a former assistant coach at City under Guardiola, has impressed in his recent managerial roles at Leicester City and Chelsea. Maresca's deep knowledge of the club's philosophy and his proven ability to implement a possession-based style make him a natural candidate to maintain continuity while forging his own path. The connection is obvious, and sources indicate he is the favored choice to step into the void.
Whoever takes the helm will inherit a squad of world-class talent but also one accustomed to a very specific tactical identity. The new manager must not only fill the coaching vacuum but also navigate the emotional fallout of a beloved leader's departure. The risk of a power vacuum or a dip in performance is real, as history shows that clubs often struggle after a long-tenured, transformative manager leaves. Manchester United's post-Ferguson struggles serve as a cautionary tale.
For the Premier League, this overhaul could signal a shift in the balance of power. Rivals like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea will see an opportunity to close the gap if City's transition falters. However, the club's deep financial resources and institutional stability mean a quick recovery is possible, especially with the right managerial appointment.
The imminent departures also raise questions about player futures. Key stars like Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, and Phil Foden have thrived under Guardiola's system; adapting to a new voice and possibly modified tactics will test their loyalty and form. The next manager's first task will be to convince the core group that the project remains on an upward trajectory.
As the season winds down, the focus will inevitably shift from the title race to the rebuilding project. Manchester City fans will hope that the club's leadership has a clear plan to navigate this transition. The mass staff exodus, while unsettling, may ultimately prove to be the catalyst for a fresh, invigorated era—but only if the succession is handled with precision.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.
