Teknowarta – Reports are circulating that Pep Guardiola is poised to depart his role as Manchester City manager in the summer of 2026. This significant development comes on the heels of the club’s recent triumphs in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, sparking widespread discussion among fans and media alike.
While official confirmation from the club remains pending, multiple sources suggest that an announcement regarding Guardiola’s exit could be made before the current season concludes. Intriguingly, Enzo Maresca has quickly emerged as the frontrunner to succeed him. The 46-year-old manager is reportedly set to take the reins at Manchester City, a mere four months after his departure from Chelsea.
Whispers of Pep Guardiola’s impending departure have, in fact, been circulating since late 2025. As early as December 2025, reports from The Athletic first linked Maresca with Manchester City, amid growing speculation that Guardiola was preparing to conclude his highly successful tenure at the club.
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Maresca subsequently departed from Chelsea in January, despite being contracted until 2029. It was also reported that Maresca had informed the Chelsea hierarchy of his ongoing communications with Manchester City’s representatives regarding this potential move.
Interestingly, Pep Guardiola’s current contract was extended in November 2024 and is officially set to run until June 2027. At the time of that extension, Guardiola had publicly stated his commitment, explaining his decision to remain was driven by a sense that he couldn’t abandon the club during a period of perceived underperformance.
“I didn’t want to disappoint the club. I felt I couldn’t leave at that point,” Guardiola had remarked, highlighting his dedication.
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Despite this, speculation regarding his long-term future has intensified significantly in recent months. The club’s management had reportedly maintained hopes that Guardiola would honour his contract and remain at the helm until its scheduled expiry.
Curiously, Guardiola himself had previously dismissed these persistent rumours. During a press conference held before the FA Cup final, he emphatically stated that he still had a year remaining on his contract with Manchester City. However, when pressed on his future again after the final whistle, Guardiola’s response was notably succinct.
“Rumours? Have a good night,” Pep Guardiola simply retorted, leaving many questions unanswered.
Significantly, Guardiola’s potential departure also aligns with the ongoing investigation into more than 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations by Manchester City. Despite the gravity of these accusations, the club has consistently and vehemently denied all wrongdoing.
Looking ahead, Manchester City has two crucial matches remaining this season: against Bournemouth and Aston Villa. The home fixture against Aston Villa on May 24 could prove to be Guardiola’s final game at the Etihad, and potentially a dramatic league title decider if City manages to overcome their two-point deficit against Arsenal.
Throughout his illustrious tenure at Manchester City, Guardiola has amassed an extraordinary record of achievements. Most recently, he guided the team to his third FA Cup title, securing a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Wembley. Prior to that, in March, Guardiola also added his fifth EFL Cup to the club’s burgeoning trophy cabinet.
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As reported by The Guardian, Guardiola’s remarkable reign has seen him secure a total of six Premier League titles and one UEFA Champions League trophy with Manchester City. His leadership also delivered the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, and three Community Shields, solidifying City’s status as a dominant force.
Guardiola initially arrived at Manchester City on July 1, 2016, following his departure from Bayern Munich. After a comparatively modest third-place finish in his inaugural season, he meticulously built a dynasty, leading the club to an incredible six league titles in the subsequent seven seasons.
A significant highlight of his tenure was when City shattered records by accumulating 100 points in a single season, an unprecedented feat in English league history. This was spectacularly followed by a domestic treble in the subsequent campaign. The 2022/2023 season stands out as arguably Guardiola’s crowning achievement, as he steered Manchester City to an historic continental treble, clinching the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup.
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Prior to his transformative spell at City, Guardiola enjoyed immense success, guiding Barcelona for four years and Bayern Munich for three. Meanwhile, the rumored successor, Enzo Maresca, is far from an unfamiliar face at Manchester City. Maresca previously managed the club’s U-21 team during the 2020-2021 season and later returned to the Etihad as Pep Guardiola’s assistant in 2022.
The Italian coach then moved on to manage Leicester City, where he successfully guided them to promotion to the Premier League, prior to his move to Chelsea in 2024. At Chelsea, Maresca is credited with leading the team to Champions League qualification, and securing both the Conference League and Club World Cup titles.
Guardiola’s anticipated departure is widely expected to herald a period of significant transition and change within Manchester City. Beyond the managerial upheaval, there are also strong rumors that several key senior players, including the likes of Bernardo Silva and John Stones, are also contemplating leaving the club.
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Summary
Reports indicate Pep Guardiola is expected to leave Manchester City in the summer of 2026, despite extending his contract until June 2027 in November 2024. Enzo Maresca has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed him, reportedly set to take charge just months after departing Chelsea. Speculation about Guardiola’s exit has intensified, coinciding with an ongoing investigation into Manchester City’s alleged financial regulation breaches.
Guardiola’s tenure at Manchester City, beginning in 2016, has been remarkably successful, securing multiple Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cups, and other domestic and international trophies. Maresca is a familiar face, having previously managed City’s U-21 team and served as Guardiola’s assistant, before guiding Leicester City to Premier League promotion. Guardiola’s anticipated departure is expected to lead to significant changes, with rumors of key players also contemplating leaving.