Pep Guardiola could well be presiding over his “last season at City”, according to The Athletic ‘s David Ornstein.
The trusted journalist claims that there is a growing expectation that the Catalan will leave the Etihad Stadium next summer.
Guardiola signed a contract extension in November last year, keeping him with the Cityzens until the end of the 2026/27 campaign.
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However, it does look like the two parties could part ways 12 months early. With that being the case, the club are already drawing a up a list of potential replacements.
Maresca is among the leading candidates
It is believed that City’s hierarchy have identified Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca as one of their top options.
The Italian has already had two stints on the club’s coaching staff, managing the development squad in 2020/21, before he left to become Parma manager. After a brief, ill-fated spell back home, he returned to Manchester in 2022 to become one of Guardiola’s assistants.
Chelsea have Maresca tied down until 2029, but he has recently expressed dissatisfaction with his employers following a lack of perceived backing. That could provide an opening for City to make their move.
Who else could Man City consider to replace Guardiola?
The obvious alternative to Maresca would be Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany. The City legend has burgeoned his reputation as a manager in Germany, having won the Bundesliga last season, and looking likely to secure a second successive title this campaign.
Kompany was recommended for the Bayern job by none other than Guardiola, with former president Uli Hoeness also claiming that the Catalan had also backed Kompany to succeed him at City.
Como boss Cesc Fabregas is another name that has been circulated in the Italian press, although it appears Maresca is among the favoured candidates as things stand.
Read more about the Man City First Team Squad for 2025/26 here