Speculation continues to swirl about Pep Guardiola's future at Manchester City and the news of the impending departure of fitness coach Lorenzo Buenaventura could offer a clue
Coach of Manchester City Pep Guardiola and his fitness coach Lorenzo Buenaventura (left)
Pep Guardiola is very close with Lorenzo Buenaventura(Image: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
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Pep Guardiola's future at Manchester City is looking increasingly uncertain after it emerged that one of his close allies is leaving at the end of the season. Guardiola's fitness coach Lorenzo Buenaventura is set to move on this summer, while goalkeeper coach Xabi Mancisidor is also leaving the club.
Guardiola is in his 10th campaign at City and has another year left on his contract. There has been continued speculation that he could call time on his hugely successful spell at the club this summer.
It was claimed last month that City's hierarchy would seek an indication from the 55-year-old on whether he was planning to continue for another season. They have planned for his departure, with ex-Chelsea boss - and Guardiola's former assistant - Enzo Maresca favourite to take over.
Guardiola has dismissed the speculation throughout the season, preferring to focus on City's race against Arsenal for the Premier League title and their efforts in cup competitions. But with just two matches remaining in the 2025/26 campaign, things are coming to a head.
The Athletic reports that Buenaventura has decided to leave this summer after 15 years of working closely with Guardiola at City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona. The 63-year-old is a close ally of the Catalan coach and club sources said they can't imagine Guardiola working without him.
Goalkeeping coach Mancisidor is less attached to Guardiola, having started working at City before his arrival, but his departure is seen as another sign of the end of an era.
City have already confirmed that both Bernardo Silva and John Stones will leave the club at the end of the season. The two players have been crucial parts of Guardiola's success and will need replacing this summer in the transfer window.
Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, and Xabier Mancisidor, Goalkeeping coach of Manchester City
Goalkeeping coach Xabier Mancisidor is also leaving Man City this summer(Image: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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The club are hoping that Guardiola will decide to stay and fulfil his contract, which runs to June 2027, and his recent happiness is a good sign. City beat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final in March and have the chance of clinching the 20th piece of silverware of the Guardiola era when they face Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
They are two points adrift of Arsenal in the Premier League title race after their 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday and need a favour from Burnley or Palace - Arsenal's final two opponents - to win the title once more.
Guardiola has previously spoken of the risk of burnout in his high-pressure role and a desire to take a break when he does walk away from City.
"After my contract with City, I'm going to stop," he told ESPN Brazil recently. "I'm sure. I don't know if I'm going to retire, but I'm going to take a break. How I want to be remembered, I don't know."
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