New report reinforces belief in Pep Guardiola’s imminent Manchester City exit | OneFootball

A new line of reporting has once again insisted that Pep Guardiola will be leaving Manchester City at the end of the ongoing season.

Guardiola’s contractual status at City is currently defined by a two-year extension he signed back in November 2024, keeping him at the Etihad Stadium until the end of the forthcoming 2026/27 campaign.

However, significant uncertainty has emerged in recent months, with reports suggesting that the March international break could be used by the Catalan coach as a period to reflect on whether he will step away this summer.

Speculation has been fuelled by the departure of long-term ally Txiki Begiristain last summer, the ongoing integration of a new-look younger squad, and Manchester City’s nine-point deficit to Arsenal in the Premier League.

While Guardiola has consistently pointed towards his contract when questioned on his future, the club’s hierarchy – led by sporting director Hugo Viana – is drafting contingency plans including names like former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.

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And now, according to a new report from talkSPORT, ‘well-placed sources’ in the north-west believe Pep Guardiola will decide to call time on his decade-long tenure at Manchester City at the end of the ongoing season.

It is pointed out that while City officials have played down recent speculation concerning the Catalan coach, they have already starting drawing up a list of potential successors to approach should they be required.

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Aside from the aforementioned Enzo Maresca, City could also consider Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique as a primary candidate, with the Spaniard obviously possessing the elite Champions League pedigree and philosophy that matches the Etihad Stadium’s identity.

Internally, Girona’s Míchel has publicly declared himself “ready” for a step up after successfully integrating City Football Group (CFG) methodology in La Liga, while Hugo Viana’s presence as sporting director has kept Ruben Amorim in the conversation, despite his recent difficult stint at Manchester United.

Among the club’s fans, a romantic return for club legend Vincent Kompany remains a persistent narrative, particularly given his work under Guardiola and success as Bayern Munich boss.

For now, however, Manchester City will remain entirely focussed on the silverware task at hand, with an FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool next on the agenda, followed by difficult Premier League clashes with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Burnley.