“My gut feeling says something is wrong” – Matthias Sammer urges Pep Guardiola to quit Man City | OneFootball

A former colleague of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City has encouraged the Catalan head coach to exit the Etihad Stadium.

The legendary manager is currently entering the final 15 months of his Manchester City contract, set to expire in June 2027, and most recently guided the club to a 0-2 Carabao Cup Final victory over Arsenal at Wembley.

But despite supporters being desperate for a clear response on his future beyond the upcoming summer, Guardiola has remained cryptic over a potential contract extension, at a time when the club are managing their first campaign without now-former sporting director Txiki Begiristain – replaced by Hugo Viana.

Talk of a potential sabbatical or a move into international management has intensified in recent weeks and months, leaving City officials in a precarious position of planning a 2026/27 recruitment drive for stars like Elliot Anderson without knowing if their head coach will be there to lead them.

Pep Guardiola encouraged to leave Man City by ex-colleague

Now, former Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer has admitted his belief that Pep Guardiola will step down as Manchester City head coach this summer, speaking on Sky Germany’s Sammer and Basile – the Hagedorn Talk.

“Well, first of all, I was very happy for him. We worked together wonderfully for three years; it was very, very good. I think I understood him quite well with his facial expressions, his gestures, his eyes, and his way of speaking. My gut feeling tells me something’s wrong when I look at his face.”

Sammer, who currently works as a part-time advisor to Bayern Munich, continued by expressing his own personal hope that Pep Guardiola will opt to walk away from the Etihad Stadium in the summer.

“When I see your eyes, when I see your face, and in other ways too, you really don’t need to explain to clueless people what you are and who you are, and that you can’t always win. I would advise him to take a deep breath,” admitted Sammer.

Who could replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City?

The search for a potential successor to Guardiola is expected to be spearheaded by Hugo Viana, with former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso positioned as an option, alongside former Chelsea and Leicester tactician Enzo Maresca.

Girona’s Míchel may enter conversations within the City Football Group given his familiarity of the organisations working environment, while Bayern Munich’s Vincent Kompany – the former Etihad Stadium club captain – remains a big favourite among supporters.

With Pep Guardiola entering the final 12 months of his contract when the summer arrives, and refusing to commit beyond June 2027 at present, Hugo Viana will no doubt be under pressure to have a transition blueprint finalised in the very near future.