Guardiola to conclude City tenure at season’s end as Maresca emerges as successor
The former Chelsea manager and Guardiola’s former assistant is expected to take charge at the Etihad, marking the end of an era of unprecedented domestic and continental dominance.
Pep Guardiola is set to depart Manchester City at the conclusion of the current season, ending a decade-long tenure that saw him secure 16 major trophies. The Spanish manager’s final match in charge is anticipated to be the upcoming fixture against Aston Villa, a game in which City’s hopes of retaining the Premier League title remain potentially alive.
According to reports, Enzo Maresca, the former Chelsea head coach and Guardiola’s former assistant at City, is expected to succeed him. Maresca, who led Chelsea to the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup titles last season before departing in January, was reportedly in contact with City regarding a potential vacancy in the months prior to his own exit.
Guardiola’s departure follows speculation that intensified after City’s first trophyless campaign since his arrival in the 2016-17 season. His most recent silverware with the club was the FA Cup, secured on Saturday, which served as the latest addition to a collection that includes the UEFA Champions League and six Premier League titles.
The manager’s 10-year record at the Etihad Stadium is defined by historic achievements, including a treble in the 2022-23 season that ended the club’s wait for a Champions League title. This feat made Guardiola the first manager to win a treble with an English club since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in 1998-99.
His tenure also saw City win four consecutive Premier League titles from 2020-21 to 2023-24, the first time this feat has been achieved in the league’s history. The club’s dominance was further highlighted by a historic 100-point season in 2017-18, the first in the league’s history, and the consistent excellence of key players such as Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, and Phil Foden.
Sources speaking to BBC Sport indicate that while Guardiola holds a valid contract for the upcoming season, the club is preparing for the transition. Guardiola, who previously managed Barcelona and Bayern Munich, leaves with his legacy intact as one of the most decorated managers in modern football.
