BREAKING: Guardiola set for Manchester City exit as club prepares farewell

Speculation surrounding the future of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City has intensified, with reports indicating the decorated manager is expected to leave the Premier League champions at the end of the season, Sport360NG reports. 

Although City insist Guardiola remains contracted for another campaign and hope he will continue in charge, sources close to the situation say preparations for his departure are already ongoing behind the scenes.

Club officials are believed to have begun discussions on how best to honour the 55-year-old’s remarkable spell at the Etihad Stadium, while several members of the playing squad are reportedly anticipating a farewell after Sunday’s league clash against Aston Villa.

Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who previously worked as Guardiola’s assistant at City, has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed him if the Spaniard steps down.

Since arriving in Manchester in 2016, Guardiola has overseen the most successful era in the club’s history, collecting 20 trophies, including six Premier League crowns, a UEFA Champions League title, three FA Cups and five League Cups.

The ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss could still add another league title to his glittering record this season, having already guided City to domestic cup success in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

Questions over Guardiola’s long-term future have repeatedly surfaced throughout the campaign, though the manager has consistently maintained he remains committed to the club.

Ahead of the FA Cup final at Wembley, Guardiola dismissed suggestions it could be his final appearance at the stadium as City manager, insisting he still had “one more year” left on his contract.

In another interview before the final, he again stated he expected to remain at the club next season, saying, “I am here, I have a contract.”

The same response was repeated during Monday’s press conference before City’s trip to Bournemouth, when Guardiola brushed aside fresh questions regarding a possible exit.

Guardiola initially joined City on a three-year deal in 2016 after replacing Manuel Pellegrini and has since transformed the club into one of Europe’s dominant forces.

Under his leadership, City became the first English top-flight side to accumulate 100 points in a Premier League season during the 2017/18 campaign, while also setting a league record of 106 goals scored.

His side later completed a historic Treble in the 2022/23 season by winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, matching the achievement previously accomplished only by rivals Manchester United.

City also became the first club to win four consecutive Premier League titles after their triumph in the 2023/24 campaign.

Before arriving in England, Guardiola enjoyed trophy-laden spells in Spain and Germany, winning multiple league titles and Champions Leagues with Barcelona before adding three Bundesliga crowns during his time at Bayern Munich.

As a player, the former midfielder spent the majority of his career at Barcelona, where he won six La Liga titles and the European Cup, while also representing Spain internationally.

Should Guardiola depart this summer, his exit would follow several major changes within City’s squad in recent months.

Club captain Bernardo Silva and defender John Stones are both set to leave when their contracts expire, while longtime midfield talisman Kevin De Bruyne departed last year for Napoli.

Goalkeeper Ederson also completed a move to Fenerbahce, while former England defender Kyle Walker joined Burnley after a loan spell at AC Milan.

Saturday’s FA Cup celebrations further fuelled speculation surrounding Guardiola’s future, with the Spaniard seen taking photographs individually with club staff after the triumph over Chelsea.

Observers also noted moments during the post-match celebrations where Guardiola appeared reflective as he looked around Wembley, adding to growing belief that his decade-long reign at City could soon come to an end.

If confirmed, Guardiola would bow out after managing City for nearly 600 matches, the most by any manager in the club’s history, ending one of the greatest managerial eras English football has witnessed.