New information: Pep Guardiola could leave Manchester City at the end of the season! | OneFootball

Like Jurgen Klopp, Guardiola wants a break.

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A potential seismic shift is brewing at the Etihad Stadium, as reports suggest the architect of Manchester City's modern dominance, Pep Guardiola, could be nearing the end of his historic tenure.

According to a report from The Times, the 54-year-old Spanish tactician is considering stepping away from his role at the conclusion of the current season. It is believed that Guardiola has already communicated to the club's leadership his desire to take a substantial hiatus from the relentless demands of coaching, a profession he has been immersed in at the highest level for over a decade and a half.

This contemplation comes despite signing a contract extension just last year that ties him to the club until 2027. The report indicates that the clause for an early departure hinges on Guardiola's personal energy levels; should he feel he can no longer give his all to the team by the season's end, a mutual termination of the agreement is a possibility.

Such a move would carry profound symbolic weight. The summer of 2026 would mark a full decade since Guardiola first took the helm in Manchester, a period that has been utterly transformative for the club.

Under his guidance, City has become a perennial powerhouse, with Guardiola managing an astounding 550 matches, amassing 395 wins against 89 losses, and forging a legacy of success.

Should the visionary coach decide his time is up, the City hierarchy is not being caught off guard. A succession plan is reportedly already in the works, with a shortlist of candidates that includes two figures deeply connected to the club's recent history: current Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, a former Guardiola assistant, and Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany, a legendary former City captain. The potential departure would not just be a change of manager, but the closing of a defining chapter.