Enzo Maresca has already agreed to succeed Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager, talkSPORT understands.
While Man City insiders point to him having one more year on his contract, several well-placed sources believe Guardiola will exit the Etihad this summer after ten trophy-laden years.
Pep Guardiola the head coach / manager of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace
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Guardiola is set to bring an end to his trophy-laden decade at CityCredit: Getty
Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea talks to Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City after the Pre-Season Friendly match between Chelsea FC and Manchester City
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His former assistant at City and ex-Chelsea boss Maresca looks set to replace him at the helmCredit: Getty
Maresca left Chelsea in January and he now looks set to succeed Guardiola, having worked at City as a coach before embarking on his own managerial career.
The Italian boss did not leave his role knowing that the job at the Etihad would be his, as talkSPORT understands that he didn't have the job lined up until the March international break.
Guardiola walked out of an interview with talkSPORT when asked if he would be back to defend the FA Cup next season after winning it for a third time with a win over Chelsea on Saturday.
He also walked out of an interview with TNT Sports when asked about his future after the final.
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But now, it seems like his departure is coming this week, with his former assistant in position to take over.
Guardiola joined Man City in 2016, succeeding Manuel Pellegrini in the dugout following spells with Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
During his time in charge, he has won 19 trophies, including six Premier League titles and an historic treble.
Also included in his 19 trophies are three FA Cups, five Carabao Cups and the Champions League.
The Spaniard said when asked whether his tenure at City has been the definition of greatness at the weekend: "Yeah, of course, 19 titles in 10 years is not bad.
"They know they don't need to wait until I'm leaving, they know I have been fun. So 19 titles - fight for 20 in 10 years - it's not bad, honestly."
Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea walks on the pitch after the Premier League match between Chelsea and Bournemouth
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Maresca is going to return to the Premier League with old side Man CityCredit: Getty
Maresca returning to Manchester
Maresca joined Man City as a coach in their development squad in 2020 and went on to win the Premier League 2 title.
Then, after a spell in Italy with Parma, he returned to join Guardiola's coaching staff in 2022, replacing Juanma Lillo.
Such was his impact under Guardiola that he attracted interest from Leicester City, who made him their manager a year later.
Maresca then led Leicester to the Championship title, bringing them back to the top flight at the first time of asking.
More to follow...