Pep Guardiola to Leave Manchester City After FA Cup and Carabao Cup Wins as Enzo Maresca Emerges
Manchester City are preparing for the end of an era, with Pep Guardiola expected to leave the club this summer after a decade of unprecedented success.
Pep Guardiola is set to leave Manchester City this summer, with Enzo Maresca expected to become the club’s next manager.
Multiple sources briefed on the situation say Guardiola is planning to step down at the end of the campaign, bringing to a close one of the greatest managerial reigns in Premier League history. Saturday’s FA Cup final victory over Chelsea FC secured Guardiola’s 20th major trophy during his 10 years at the Etihad Stadium, adding to this season’s Carabao Cup triumph.
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Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is now expected to succeed Guardiola. City also remain in contention for the Premier League title despite trailing leaders Arsenal FC by two points.
The Athletic had reported in December that Maresca was emerging as a leading candidate amid growing expectations Guardiola could leave City at the end of the season. Maresca later departed Chelsea in January and informed the London club that he had been speaking with City representatives regarding the managerial role.
Guardiola’s current contract was scheduled to run until June 2027 after he signed an extension in November 2024. Despite speculation surrounding his future, City consistently maintained that the manager still had one year remaining on his deal and hoped he would continue beyond this campaign.
City still have league fixtures remaining against AFC Bournemouth and Aston Villa FC. The home clash against Villa on May 24 could become the final match of Guardiola’s reign and may also determine the title race if City overturn Arsenal’s advantage.
During the build-up to the FA Cup final, Guardiola dismissed suggestions that he was preparing to leave. “One more year of contract,” he replied when asked if the Wembley final would be his last appearance there as City manager.
Following the victory, he again brushed aside questions over his future. “Rumours?,” Guardiola said to TNT Sports before adding: “Have a lovely evening,” as he exited the interview area.
The timing of Guardiola’s departure also comes while the investigation into more than 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations involving City remains unresolved. The club continue to deny the allegations.
Major structural changes have already taken place behind the scenes at City. Long-serving director of football Txiki Begiristain left the club at the end of last season, with Hugo Viana arriving from Sporting CP as his replacement.
Guardiola, who previously managed FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich before joining City in 2016, has repeatedly spoken about the future in recent months.
“I still enjoy it,” Guardiola said on City’s website after the Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal. “Still, we are much better than last season but not the team we should be. That requires time. Hopefully, next season and the end of this season we can do it.”
Maresca is no stranger to Manchester City. The Italian coached the club’s Under-21 side during the 2020-21 season before returning in 2022 as Guardiola’s first-team assistant.
The 46-year-old joined Chelsea in 2024 after leading Leicester City FC to promotion from the Championship. During his first season at Stamford Bridge, he guided Chelsea to Champions League qualification while also winning the Conference League and Club World Cup.
Despite being contracted until 2029, Maresca exited Chelsea on January 1. In December, he had hinted at uncertainty over his future after saying the 48 hours before Chelsea’s victory over Everton FC had been his “worst since I joined the club, because many people didn’t support us”.
Chelsea later replaced Maresca with Liam Rosenior, who left RC Strasbourg Alsace to take the role before being dismissed in April.
City’s recent seasons have not matched the standards they previously established. After winning a fourth consecutive league title in 2023-24, they finished third the following season, 13 points behind eventual champions Liverpool FC.
The club also endured a trophyless campaign and were eliminated from the Club World Cup by Al Hilal SFC in the round of 16.
This season has again featured inconsistent performances. City went four Premier League matches without a victory early in the calendar year, including a 2-0 loss to rivals Manchester United FC. They also suffered a 3-1 Champions League defeat against FK Bodø/Glimt.
However, victories over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final and Chelsea in the FA Cup final ensured Guardiola’s final campaign still delivered silverware as Manchester City prepare for a major managerial transition.
