Manchester City have confirmed that Pep Guardiola's assistant Pep Lijnders along with four other members of his coaching team will leave the club this summer. Ex-Liverpool coach Lijnders joined City as Guardiola's No.2 12 months ago following a spell at Red Bull Salzburg.
During his short time at City, Lijnders helped City win the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, as well as finish second in the Premier League and reach the last 16 of the Champions League. But, after it was confirmed that Guardiola will leave City following a trophy-laden decade long stint in charge, Lijnders is now set to join him departing the Etihad Stadium.
Four other key staff members, including former player Kolo Toure, will exit City going into a new era. First-team coach Manel Estiarte and fitness coach Lorenzo Buenaventura, who have been with him for all of his time in Manchester, are also leaving.
Goalkeeping coach Xabi Mancisidor was at the club prior to Guardiola's arrival but will also be departing. Set-piece coach James French is expected to remain at the club after only arriving from Liverpool last year.
Enzo Maresca is the outright favourite to replace Guardiola as City's new head coach having been his assistant at the Etihad before joining Leicester. The Italian has been out of work after leaving Chelsea earlier this year, following 18 months at the helm in west London.
Guardiola has called for the fans to be patient with their next head coach following such a hugely successful period. The 55-year-old concluded his last press conference as City boss by backing the succession plan.
"They are stubborn, they know exactly what they want to do and they know perfectly that the opponents are so tough here and in Europe. We don't take trophies for granted, we won finals against Arsenal and Chelsea - I wouldn’t say they are not good teams," he said.
"We fought against a team like Aston Villa, who won the Europa League. Top teams. I would only like to say to the fans that every single step, don't wait to win the Premier League or Champions League to be happy. Enjoy the process. I know all the players here will do it."