Manchester City’s management has finalized its decision regarding the team’s next manager to succeed Pep Guardiola, although the date of the “philosopher’s” departure from the Etihad Stadium remains unknown.
Guardiola’s contract with City runs until the summer of 2027, but an early departure next summer is highly likely, given reports that the manager feels he has given everything he can and cannot offer anything further to the English club.
Enzo Maresca as Guardiola’s successor at Manchester City
According to renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano, Enzo Maresca will be Manchester City new manager when Guardiola leaves, whether next summer or in 2027.
The English club’s management believes the Italian coach is the best option to continue Guardiola’s legacy at the Etihad Stadium, and his previous work as the Spaniard’s assistant gives him a thorough understanding of how things work at City.
Several names were mentioned, including Vincent Kompany and Xabi Alonso, but City’s management has made its decision and sees Maresca as the “chosen one” to coach the team, especially since his success with Chelsea last year confirms his ability to follow in Pep Guardiola’s footsteps and lead the Blues to future trophies.
Maresca is interested in coaching Manchester City
In the same vein, Maresca is aware of Manchester City’s interest, and it is highly likely that the English club’s officials have already contacted him and informed him that he is “Guardiola’s successor” in order to discourage him from any offers he might receive in the coming months.
The Italian coach is pleased with City’s interest and is very keen to take on this challenge, even though he is also attracting interest from other European clubs. For example, his name has been linked to Real Madrid as a potential replacement for Álvaro Arbeloa should the Royal Club decide on a managerial change at the end of the current season.
Manchester City is threatened with a 60-point deduction!
When will Guardiola leave Manchester City?
The question now is when Guardiola will leave Manchester City. The club has no intention of sacking the manager or even questioning him about his future, and the decision will remain entirely up to the 55-year-old to decide when his time at the Etihad Stadium will end.
It is highly likely that if Guardiola succeeds in winning the Premier League title this season, he will decide to end his tenure with Manchester City. He has already secured the Carabao Cup, and the FA Cup remains within reach, but he must first overcome Liverpool in the quarter-finals.
Maresca’s Coaching Career So Far
Enzo Maresca’s coaching career began as an assistant coach at Ascoli, followed by stints at Sevilla (with Montella and Caparrós) and West Ham (with Manuel Pellegrini).
Maresca’s first coaching experience was with Manchester City’s under-23 team in 2020, followed by a six-month stint at Parma in 2021.
In 2022, Maresca became Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, helping the manager in 61 matches during the season in which the English club achieved a treble of the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup.
He then took over at Leicester City, successfully guiding the Foxes back to the Premier League before joining Chelsea in the summer of 2024. There, he won the Europa League title and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, leading the team back to the Champions League.
In early 2026, the 46-year-old was dismissed from his position at Chelsea due to a decline in results and disagreements with the club’s management.
