Manchester City identify Pep Guardiola replacement reveals Fabrizio Romano | OneFootball

As uncertainty surrounding the Etihad dugout intensifies following Tuesday’s Champions League exit, transfer market insider Fabrizio Romano has revealed the preferred replacement for Pep Guardiola within Manchester City, should the Catalan leave between now and the end of the ongoing season.

Speculation regarding Guardiola’s future reached its highest point since his arrival in the summer of 2016, following the 5-1 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid and a daunting nine-point gap behind Arsenal in the Premier League.

Given the struggles of the ongoing campaign, and the previous season that ended without a major trophy in Sky Blues hands, some believe the 2025/26 campaign represents the natural conclusion of a trophy-laden era under the Catalan.

City’s football-focussed hierarchy, now led by sporting director Hugo Viana, is likely to be determined to appoint a coach who understands the tactical DNA established over the last decade, ensuring the transition is as seamless as the one seen when Guardiola replaced Manuel Pellegrini.

Who could replace Pep Guardiola as Man City manager?

Speaking as part of his latest market update, Fabrizio Romano insisted that should Pep Guardiola opt to leave Manchester City prior to the 2026/27 season, then the club already have his successor in mind.

“Eventually, if Pep decides to leave Manchester City from now to the end of the season, the name already identified by Manchester City to become their next manager at some point remains, according to my information, Enzo Maresca,” Romano revealed.

He continued, “Those close to Maresca are aware of the situation and interest from Manchester City.

“But again, Man City are just kind of preparing for when it’s going to be time to say goodbye to Pep Guardiola. But it’s Pep deciding, and at the moment Pep has not made any official decision.”

Why do Man City like Enzo Maresca?

Enzo Maresca – who most recently managed Chelsea – is certainly no stranger to the Etihad Stadium, having previously served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant and led the Elite Development Squad (EDS) to a Premier League 2 title.

Having worked within the backroom staff set-up that won a historic Treble during the 2022/23 campaign, the Italian is likely to be viewed as a natural heir to Guardiola, capable of maintaining the positional play City fans have grown accustomed to.

As City prepare for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Arsenal, the board’s priority remains supporting Pep Guardiola, wanting to retain him for the foreseeable future, but the Maresca plan is clearly filed away should the legendary coach decide his time in Manchester is up.