Manchester City are moving towards a summer of change. Pep Guardiola is now widely expected to step away when the season ends, bringing an end to a remarkable spell at the Etihad Stadium that has lasted nearly a decade. Club insiders have stayed cautious in public, but the sense inside the camp is that the decision has already been made.
Guardiola remains under contract until 2027, yet his deal includes a break clause that allows him to leave at the end of this campaign. That option is the key detail, and reports from within the club suggest he intends to use it. City are keeping their heads down for now, largely because the Premier League title race is still alive with one league match left.
If the expected departure happens, City already appear to have a leading successor in mind. Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, who previously worked under Guardiola, is being viewed as the front-runner. The picture is becoming clearer even if the club is not saying much out loud.
Why the Silence Matters
The club’s public line has been careful and brief. When asked on Monday, people close to City said nothing had changed. It was not a denial, and that only sharpened the belief among players and staff that Guardiola is preparing to move on.
That kind of caution makes sense. City are still fighting for the league crown, and any formal announcement would pull attention away from the pitch. For that reason, if there is a statement to come, it is more likely to arrive after the season finishes and after the club’s end-of-season plans are complete.
The Contract Detail That Opens the Door
Guardiola’s current agreement runs until 2027, but the break clause gives him a clean exit at the end of this season. That arrangement was always built to give him flexibility, not to trap him in place.
- Current contract end: 2027
- Exit point: End of the 2025-26 campaign
- Potential City spell: 10 years
- Age: 55
He has spoken before about the strain that comes with managing at the very top level. After so long in Manchester, a pause would not be surprising. The clause gives him the option to leave on his own terms, and that now looks like the most likely outcome.
Maresca Emerges as the Name to Watch
City’s succession planning appears to be taking shape around Maresca. His connection to the club is obvious: he knows the environment, understands the standards, and has experience of Guardiola’s methods from inside the building.
- He already understands City’s squad and routines
- His coaching style fits the club’s possession-based approach
- He is available after leaving Chelsea earlier this year
- He has reportedly already been sounded out about the job
Other names may come up, but Maresca stands out because he offers continuity rather than a complete reset. That matters at a club where tactical habits are deeply embedded.
One Last League Push
All of this is unfolding while City still have something major to play for. Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Burnley on Monday increased the pressure, and City must now beat Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium to keep the title race alive until the final day.
The equation is simple:
- City win: The title race goes to the final match against Aston Villa
- City drop points: Arsenal are champions for the first time since 2004
That is another reason the club is avoiding a big public statement right now. Guardiola’s future is important, but the title race is immediate.
A Legacy Already Locked In
Whatever happens next, Guardiola’s Manchester City record is already secure. His win over Chelsea in the FA Cup final gave him a 20th trophy as City manager, a haul that underlines how dominant this era has been.
The club is also preparing to honour him in a very visible way. Plans are in place for a celebration after the last league game against Aston Villa, when the FA Cup and Carabao Cup will be paraded. City are even expected to rename a stand at the Etihad Stadium in his honour, which says plenty about how the club views his place in its history.
That gesture feels less like a guess and more like a signal.
What Comes Next
The likely order now seems straightforward. Guardiola finishes the season, City complete their celebrations, and then the club moves into the next phase. If the manager leaves as expected, a formal approach to Maresca would follow once the practical details are sorted out.
For now, the focus remains on Bournemouth. Guardiola has one more match to keep the title race alive, and perhaps one final chance to shape his City exit with another major prize still on the table.
