Manchester City may be approaching the end of one of the most successful managerial chapters in English football. Pep Guardiola is now expected to leave at the end of the season, with people inside the club increasingly treating that outcome as the most likely one. He has avoided giving a clear public answer about his future, but the mood around the squad suggests the decision has already been made.
His contract runs until 2027, yet it also includes a break clause that allows him to walk away when this campaign finishes. That detail has become the key part of the story. According to multiple reports, Guardiola intends to use that option. City have chosen not to confirm anything while the title race remains alive, especially with one league match left and Arsenal still in pursuit.
If the expected exit happens, the club already has a possible successor in mind. Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who once worked under Guardiola at City, is emerging as the leading candidate to take over.
Why City Are Staying Quiet
Those close to the club have offered only careful, limited responses when asked about the manager’s future. The line that “nothing has changed” has done little to calm the noise. Instead, it has reinforced the feeling inside the dressing room that Guardiola is heading for the door once the season ends.
City’s reluctance is easy to understand. An official statement now would pull attention away from the title run-in, and the club wants the focus to remain on results. Even if an announcement is coming, it is far more likely to wait until after the final match and any planned celebrations.
The Contract Detail That Changes Everything
The break clause is the important piece of the puzzle. Guardiola’s deal may technically last until 2027, but the exit clause gives him a clean route out at the end of this season. That arrangement was always meant to leave room for choice, not force a long commitment.
- The current contract is valid until 2027.
- The break clause becomes available at the end of the 2025-26 season.
- If he leaves, his City reign will have lasted 10 years.
- He is 55 and has spoken in the past about the strain of elite management.
For Guardiola, that structure makes sense. It gives him freedom without drama. It also reflects the reality of modern top-level coaching, where ten years at one club is an enormous stretch and often a natural point to pause.
Maresca’s Name Moves to the Front
Maresca is the name most often linked with the job for a simple reason: he fits the profile City usually prefer. He already knows the club, understands the environment, and has coaching ideas that closely match the possession-based model Guardiola built. That continuity matters at the Etihad.
His recent spell at Chelsea ended early, but that does not weaken his appeal to City. In fact, being available now may improve his chances. He has also been in Guardiola’s orbit before, which means the club would not be hiring a stranger or asking for a complete reset.
The attraction is straightforward. City would not have to change direction dramatically, and the manager would inherit a squad already shaped around many of the same principles.
One Last Title Race to Finish
There is still football to be played before any of this becomes official. City must beat Bournemouth to keep the title race alive, after Arsenal’s win over Burnley kept the pressure on. If City fail to take all three points, Arsenal would be crowned champions for the first time since 2004.
That simple reality explains the club’s timing. A major announcement during a decisive week would only create distraction. For now, Guardiola remains fully involved in the race, and his final week could still end with another Premier League title.
The situation is clear enough: if City win, the championship goes to the final day. If they do not, the title slips away immediately. Either way, the manager’s future is now running alongside the biggest competitive moment of the season.
A Legacy Already Beyond Debate
Whatever happens next, Guardiola’s record at City already places him among the most influential managers in the club’s history. His recent FA Cup final win over Chelsea delivered his 20th trophy as City boss, a remarkable figure for any coach in English football.
The club is also preparing to honour that legacy in public. A celebration is planned for the day after the final league match against Aston Villa, with the FA Cup and Carabao Cup both set to be paraded. City are also expected to rename a stand at the Etihad in Guardiola’s honour, which is a strong sign of how they view his contribution.
That sort of tribute is rarely arranged for someone thought to be staying much longer. In this case, it feels like part of the farewell.
The most likely sequence now is easy to imagine. Guardiola finishes the campaign, City complete their celebrations, and then the manager confirms what many around him already believe. If Maresca is the chosen successor, formal talks would follow after compensation and contract details are sorted.
For now, City are keeping the story under wraps so the title race can play out without added noise. Behind the scenes, though, the direction of travel appears settled. Guardiola has one final match to chase silverware this season, and perhaps one final chance to leave Manchester City on top.
