After ten years, Pep Guardiola’s successful era at Manchester City is coming to an end. One year before his contract expires, the Catalan is stepping down from his role as head coach.
On February 1, 2016, when Manchester City, under Manuel Pellegrini, was sitting in second place in the Premier League just behind eventual champions Leicester City, the club released an official statement that caused quite a stir even then. “Manchester City confirms that the club has entered into and concluded contract negotiations with Pep Guardiola in recent weeks for him to become head coach of MCFC starting with the 2016/17 Premier League season,” the message read.
Ten years later, this has proven to be a decision that would have an enormous impact on the entire club. Guardiola goes down in the history of the Citizens as one of the most successful managers—and will no longer be on the sidelines starting next season. Ahead of the final home and season-ending match against Aston Villa, the Catalan and his club confirmed what had already been looming in recent days.
Two titles to say goodbye
A year before the end of his contract, which would have run through June 2027, Guardiola has decided of his own accord to step down. His chapter at City thus comes to a close without another Premier League trophy—a title he had won an impressive six times in previous years (2018, 2019, 2021 through 2024) . He was also denied another triumph in the English Super Cup (2019, 2020, 2025), the Club World Cup (2024), and the Champions League (2023) during his final campaign.
However, it is not a completely trophy-less farewell, which would truly not have done justice to his successful tenure. Guardiola was recently able to lift the FA Cup (2019, 2023, 2026) and the League Cup (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2026) once again.
Guardiola actually sees “no reason”
In the club’s statement, Guardiola is quoted as saying that there is actually “no reason” for his resignation. “But deep down, I know that the time has come. Nothing lasts forever—if it did, I’d still be here. But what lasts forever are the feelings, the people, the memories, and the love I have for Manchester City.”
City’s chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak is quoted as saying that Guardiola has “not only made Manchester City better—he has also made soccer better.” CEO Ferran Soriano added: “Ten years ago, no one would have thought we’d win 20 trophies this decade while playing such high-quality, entertaining soccer. It was unthinkable… and yet it happened.”
Will the former assistant become the successor?
While Guardiola’s departure hadn’t even been made official in recent days, the rumor mill was already churning regarding his potential successor. Unlike in other cases, the English media quickly reached a consensus this time and reported in unison on one name: Enzo Maresca.
The Italian most recently managed Chelsea FC between July 2024 and January 2026, winning both the Conference League and the Club World Cup during that time, before the Blues parted ways with him and handed the reins to Liam Rosenior—who has since also been fired.
For Maresca, a move to the sky-blue side of Manchester would be a return of sorts, as he served as Guardiola’s assistant coach for Man City during the 2022–23 season. Two years prior, he had also managed the Citizens’ U-21 team as head coach.