Manchester City close in on Maresca as Guardiola exit nears

Manchester City are preparing for the departure of Pep Guardiola at the end of the current campaign, with Enzo Maresca identified as the leading contender to take charge for the 2026-27 season. The club has been planning for this transition for more than six months, and negotiations with the former Chelsea head coach are now at an advanced stage.

Guardiola is expected to leave the club following Sunday’s home fixture against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium, which marks the final match of the season. Reports indicate that the Italian manager, 46, is keen on the role and is anticipated to be formally confirmed as Guardiola’s successor in due course.

Maresca’s connection to the club runs deep, having served under Guardiola during the treble-winning 2022-23 campaign. Prior to joining the first team setup, he played a significant role in the club’s academy. He departed in 2023 to take charge of Leicester City, where he successfully guided the team to Premier League promotion in his only season.

His subsequent tenure at Chelsea saw him win the Club World Cup and the UEFA Conference League, while also securing Champions League qualification during his sole full season at Stamford Bridge. Maresca left the London club in January, less than six months after the Club World Cup victory.

Guardiola has publicly praised Maresca’s capabilities, describing him as one of the best managers in the world. He highlighted the difficulty of achieving such results with a young squad in the Premier League, noting that Maresca’s work at Chelsea often does not receive sufficient credit.

The anticipated exit has also prompted discussions regarding a permanent architectural tribute to Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium. While the club prepares for the managerial change, the focus remains on concluding the current season before the transition to Maresca’s era begins.