Pep Guardiola Reportedly Set to Leave Manchester City at the End of the Season

Pep Guardiola is reportedly set to bring his trophy-laden decade at Manchester City to a close this weekend, according to multiple reports on Monday.

Since arriving in England in 2016, the 55-year-old has amassed 20 trophies with City, including six Premier League titles and the club’s first-ever Champions League crown.

Guardiola could add to his haul if City win their remaining matches against Bournemouth and Aston Villa, and if Arsenal fail to defeat Crystal Palace on the final day of the Premier League season.

Both The Daily Mail and The Athletic report that Guardiola will step down after City’s home fixture against Villa. The club has yet to comment on the speculation.

Nevertheless, Manchester City have scheduled a parade through the city on Monday to celebrate their League Cup and FA Cup wins this season—a potential farewell to their iconic manager.

Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who previously served on Guardiola’s staff, is reportedly the frontrunner to take over next season.

Although Guardiola has a year left on his contract, rumors have swirled for months that this could be his final campaign at the helm.

After enduring his first trophyless season in seven years during 2024/25, Guardiola oversaw a City resurgence. Their victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup final secured a domestic cup double, and they remain in contention to overtake Arsenal for a seventh league title in nine years.

Guardiola arrived in England as one of Europe’s most decorated coaches, having won two Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles with Barcelona, followed by three Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich.

While many expected his time in Manchester to be brief, his decade-long tenure has left an indelible mark on English football. Under his guidance, City have supplanted Manchester United as the dominant force in England, and Guardiola’s innovative style of play has influenced the game at every level, from grassroots to the elite.

Even rival clubs have turned to his protégés in an attempt to emulate his success. Arsenal, managed by former City assistant Mikel Arteta, is on the brink of its first league title in 22 years. Liverpool’s Arne Slot has credited Guardiola’s Barcelona as an inspiration, and new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso joined Bayern Munich late in his playing career specifically to work under Guardiola.

Guardiola’s potential departure comes as City awaits the outcome of an investigation into more than 100 alleged breaches of financial regulations. The Premier League first charged City in February 2023, and an independent commission concluded its hearings in December 2024, leaving the club’s recent achievements under scrutiny.

—AFP