Guardiola Expected to Leave Manchester City Despite Contract Until 2027
Manchester, 18 May 2026
Manchester City are reportedly preparing for Pep Guardiola’s departure at season’s end, despite the Spanish manager having a contract until 2027. Sources suggest Chelsea’s former manager Enzo Maresca is being considered as his replacement, though Guardiola himself stated ‘the future is bright’ and indicated he would remain next season. The uncertainty comes after City won their second domestic cup this season, beating Chelsea 1-0 in the FA Cup final on 16 May 2026.
Club Preparations Underway Despite Public Optimism
Despite Guardiola’s public statements suggesting continuity, Manchester City are actively preparing for the manager’s departure following their final Premier League match against Aston Villa on 24 May 2026 [1]. Work is already underway within the club for his anticipated exit, with both staff and squad members expecting him to leave [1]. This preparation comes even though Guardiola signed a two-year contract extension in November 2024, which runs until the end of the 2026-27 season [1]. When questioned about his future on 16 May 2026, Guardiola responded ‘no way’ when asked if his visit to Wembley would be his last, and stated he had ‘one more year’ on his contract [1].
Maresca Emerges as Leading Replacement Candidate
Enzo Maresca, the former Chelsea manager, has emerged as the front-runner to replace the 55-year-old Guardiola [1]. The speculation around Maresca’s potential appointment has intensified despite club sources not officially confirming whether Guardiola will depart or if Maresca will indeed replace him [2]. This uncertainty persists even as Guardiola recently expressed confidence in the club’s direction, telling reporters: ‘The future is bright. I know the guys, I know how they feel, the commitment to the club, very professional. I’m pretty sure we’ll be there in the next years’ [2]. The timing of these discussions becomes particularly significant as City prepare for their crucial match against Bournemouth on 19 May 2026 [2].
A Decade of Unprecedented Success
Guardiola’s potential departure would mark the end of a transformative decade at the Etihad Stadium, during which he has accumulated 17 major trophies across 10 years [1]. His achievements include six Premier League titles, one Champions League victory, three FA Cups, and five EFL Cups [1]. The manager’s tactical innovations helped City achieve remarkable milestones, including reaching 100 points in the 2017-18 Premier League season whilst scoring a record 106 goals [1]. The pinnacle of his tenure came in the 2022-23 season when City secured the Treble, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League [1]. Most recently, City won four consecutive English league titles, concluding with the 2023-24 campaign [1].
Recent Success Amid Future Uncertainty
The speculation surrounding Guardiola’s future intensifies following City’s recent domestic cup double, with their 1-0 victory over Chelsea on 17 May 2026 securing the FA Cup for the third time under his management [1]. This triumph marked City’s second domestic trophy of the season [4], continuing what Guardiola described as a ‘perfect May’ which also included impressive Premier League victories over Brentford and Crystal Palace [4]. Speaking after the FA Cup victory, Guardiola reflected on the club’s consistency, stating: ‘I think the biggest title is to come here 24 times. We can win the Premier League and Champions League but to come here and play 24 times is because we were stubborn’ [6]. As City head to face Bournemouth on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, Guardiola is expected to face further questioning about his future plans [1], whilst the club simultaneously prepares for what many anticipate will be the conclusion of one of football’s most successful managerial tenures.