Pep Guardiola set to leave Manchester City at season's end
Synopsis
Pep Guardiola is reportedly on the verge of ending his nine-year reign at Manchester City — the club where he won the Treble, set a 100-point record, and claimed four straight league titles. His expected farewell comes despite a contract signed just months ago, and with the club still facing over 115 alleged financial regulation breaches, the timing could not be more turbulent.
Key Takeaways
Pep Guardiola is reportedly set to announce his Manchester City departure at the final Premier League game against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium .
Guardiola had signed a contract extension until 2027 in November 2024 , making the reported exit a surprise.
He joined City in February 2016 , winning the Treble in 2022-23 and four consecutive league titles by 2023-24 .
Manchester City faces more than 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations; the club denies wrongdoing.
Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca , who previously worked in City's setup, is reportedly the leading candidate to replace Guardiola, according to The Athletic .
Pep Guardiola is reportedly set to announce his departure from Manchester City during the club's final Premier League fixture of the season against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium, according to reports. The expected announcement would bring the curtain down on one of the most decorated managerial tenures in English football history.
A Departure Despite a Contract Extension
The development comes as a surprise given that Guardiola signed a contract extension with City as recently as November 2024, committing himself to the club until 2027. However, doubts over his long-term future have reportedly persisted in recent months, culminating in what is now expected to be a formal exit announcement. The club has not yet issued an official statement.
Nine Years of Unprecedented Success
Guardiola arrived at Manchester City in February 2016, succeeding Manuel Pellegrini ahead of the 2016-17 campaign. His debut season ended without silverware — the only trophy-less year of his entire managerial career — but that proved to be a brief aberration.
What followed was a period of domestic dominance without precedent. In the 2017-18 season, City became the first club in Premier League history to accumulate 100 points, finishing the campaign with 106 goals in a record-breaking title run. The success accelerated from there, culminating in the historic 2022-23 season when City became only the second English club — after Manchester United in 1998-99 — to complete the Treble, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League in a single season.
The following year brought yet another milestone: in 2023-24, City became the first club in English top-flight history to win four consecutive league titles, a feat achieved under Guardiola's watch.
The Cloud of Financial Charges
Guardiola's exit, if confirmed, arrives at a particularly fraught moment for the club. Manchester City remains under investigation by the Premier League for more than 115 alleged breaches of financial regulations. The club has denied any wrongdoing, and the case remains unresolved. Critics argue the timing of a high-profile managerial departure could add further instability to an already uncertain period for the club's leadership.
Enzo Maresca Emerges as Leading Candidate
According to The Athletic, former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is considered the frontrunner to succeed Guardiola. Maresca has a well-documented connection to City's structure, having managed the club's Under-21 side during the 2020-21 season before returning in 2022 as part of Guardiola's first-team coaching staff. His familiarity with the club's tactical philosophy and organisational culture is reportedly seen as a key advantage in the succession process.
Whether Guardiola ultimately confirms his departure at the Etihad or through a separate announcement, the transition will mark the end of an era — and the beginning of a significant rebuilding challenge for one of European football's most expensively assembled squads.
Point of View
Despite a contract signed barely six months ago, raises questions about what has shifted inside the Etihad's corridors of power. The timing — with over 115 financial charges still unresolved — is not incidental; a club facing existential regulatory scrutiny may be a harder project to sustain than even the world's most successful manager is willing to manage. The succession of Maresca, a Guardiola disciple, signals City want continuity of method rather than a reset — but inheriting a squad built around one genius's vision, without that genius, is a challenge no amount of tactical familiarity fully resolves. The real story here is not the departure; it is what the club looks like on the other side of the Premier League's charges verdict.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pep Guardiola really leaving Manchester City?
According to reports, Guardiola is expected to announce his departure from Manchester City at the club's final Premier League match of the season against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium. The club has not yet issued an official confirmation.
Why is Guardiola leaving despite signing a contract extension?
Guardiola signed a contract extension until 2027 in November 2024, but reports suggest doubts about his long-term future have grown in recent months. The specific reasons for his reported change of heart have not been officially disclosed.
What are Manchester City's biggest achievements under Guardiola?
Under Guardiola, City set a Premier League record of 100 points in 2017-18, completed the Treble in 2022-23, and became the first English club to win four consecutive top-flight league titles in 2023-24.
Who is likely to replace Guardiola at Manchester City?
According to The Athletic, former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is the leading candidate. Maresca previously managed City's Under-21 side in 2020-21 and served on Guardiola's first-team coaching staff from 2022.
What are the financial charges against Manchester City?
Manchester City is under investigation by the Premier League for more than 115 alleged breaches of financial regulations. The club denies any wrongdoing and the case remains unresolved.
