Major UK news outlets, including The Athletic, The Guardian, Daily Mail, BBC, and ESPN, simultaneously reported this information on the evening of 18/5.
The Daily Mail stated that the departure is expected to be confirmed on 24/5. The following day, Guardiola will be honored in a tribute ceremony as Man City parades their FA Cup and League Cup titles in an open-top bus through Manchester.
Additionally, ESPN sources revealed that Man City is considering naming a stand at the Etihad Stadium in honor of the Spanish coach.
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Coach Pep Guardiola lifting the cup at Man City's FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium, London, England, on 16/5. *Photo: Reuters*
This season, Man City has already secured the FA Cup and League Cup, remaining in contention for the Premier League title. They face two remaining matches: against Bournemouth today, 19/5, and Aston Villa at the Etihad on 24/5. Man City must win both matches and hope Arsenal falters against Crystal Palace to claim the top spot.
Guardiola's contract with Man City extends until June 2027, but it reportedly includes a clause allowing him to leave the club at the end of the current season. In recent press conferences, the Spanish coach declined to confirm his future, stating only that he remains under contract. Before the FA Cup final, he even dismissed the possibility of leaving Man City at the end of the season.
Guardiola has managed Man City since 2016, leading the club to six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups, three Community Shields, one Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup, and one FIFA Club World Cup.
Under Guardiola's tenure, Man City recorded 416 wins, 86 draws, and 89 losses, achieving a win rate of 70,4%. He and his players also set numerous records, such as becoming the first club to reach 100 points in the Premier League (2017-2018 season), the first club to win four domestic titles in one season (2018-2019), and the first club to win consecutive Premier League titles. A highlight was the quintuple in 2023, securing the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.
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Maresca (right) during his time as an assistant to Guardiola at Man City. *Photo: Man City*
Should Guardiola depart, Enzo Maresca is considered the leading candidate to take over the "hot seat" at the Etihad. Maresca previously worked at Man City as the under-21 team coach during the 2020-2021 season before his first professional head coaching role with Parma in Serie B. Despite having a highly rated squad, including Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon and midfielder Franco Vazquez, Maresca failed to guide Parma to promotion and was dismissed on 23/11/2021.
Maresca then returned to Man City as an assistant to Guardiola for the 2022-2023 season, guided Leicester to Premier League promotion, and then moved to Chelsea in summer 2024. In his first season at Stamford Bridge, the Italian coach helped the team secure Champions League qualification and won two titles: the Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup. He was dismissed on 1/1 and is currently unattached.
The Athletic revealed in December that Maresca was on Man City's shortlist, as the club's management prepared for Guardiola's potential departure after a decade-long era of success.
By Hong Duy
