Fabrizio Romano provides details on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City future and Enzo Maresca replacement talk | OneFootball

The future of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has become increasingly discussed this week amid claims that the Catalan could step aside from the role in 2026.

Those discussions come at a time when City’s hierarchy are already understood to be undertaking preliminary contingency planning, led by sporting director Hugo Viana. While Guardiola remains under contract until 2027, senior figures have accepted long-term succession planning is unavoidable given the scale of the job around an eventual departure.

Recent reports have suggested Manchester City have already identified at least two potential candidates internally, with names such as Bayern Munich’s Vincent Kompany and now Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca referenced.

The club’s preference remains for a coach aligned with Pep Guardiola’s positional, possession-heavy principles, capable of sustaining continuity rather than triggering wholesale tactical change.

Maresca’s emergence follows previous work within Manchester City’s academy structure and as part of Pep Guardiola’s staff during the 2022/23 season ensuring long-standing familiarity, while his growing reputation in the game has elevated him into serious contention.

Now, according to the information of Fabrizio Romano, City hold a long-standing admiration for the aforementioned Chelsea head coach.

“The appreciation for Enzo Maresca has always been there, and one day Pep Guardiola – when he will decide to leave Manchester City – is going to be involved in the conversation internally to suggest who could be the best man to replace him,” said Romano.

“When that’s going to happen; that’s not guaranteed to happen now, or summer 2026. And Pep really appreciates Enzo Maresca. For sure, he is a name that has always been circulating internally at Manchester City.”

Offering insight into the situations concerning the Italian tactician, Fabrizio Romano explained, “The connection with Jorge Mendes – who is the new agent of Enzo Maresca – [and] Hugo Viana is very good. Jorge Mendes has a great relationship at Man City as well.”

“At this point, there is an appreciation from Man City, yes, but we don’t have to forget that Enzo Maresca is under contract at Chelsea. So anything happening in summer 2026 would require really important compensation. Chelsea are not commenting on this story. Chelsea are really focussing on this season with Maresca.”

Finally, issuing his own insight into Pep Guardiola’s future directly, Fabrizio Romano explained, “Still no decision made on his future. There is a possibility Pep Guardiola leaves Manchester City in summer 2026, yes, but it’s not something decided, not something guaranteed.

“Pep believes Man City can compete to win all titles this season, and so Pep’s focus remains absolutely on Manchester City’s project. Pep is involved in the transfer strategy of Manchester City, and that’s also a very important point.

“Pep is not thinking just about himself, Pep is fully involved in what Man City are doing; signing a winger, signing a right-back, asking Pep who could be the right player.”

From City’s perspective, the latest report reinforces the message that any succession decision remains distant and carefully managed. Pep Guardiola’s ongoing involvement in recruitment and squad-building strongly suggests no immediate departure is being planned.

Looking ahead, the direction of City’s next appointment may hinge on timing. A 2026 exit would significantly complicate any approach for Maresca given his Chelsea contract, while candidates such as Kompany or other emerging European coaches may present cleaner transitions – but later down the line.

For now, City’s stance appears clear in that Pep Guardiola remains fully committed, Hugo Viana continues background planning, and the club is determined to control the narrative and process surrounding one of the most significant managerial changes in modern football.