Is Pep Guardiola really leaving Man City?! The truth behind exit rumours surrounding revered tactician - revealed
Pep Guardiola's future at Manchester City has been in the spotlight this season amid increasing speculation that the 55-year-old is currently preparing to end his long stay at the Etihad Stadium. The City manager is contracted to the Premier League club until the summer of 2027 but has been tipped to walk away from the job at the end of the 2025-26 season.Despite the mystery surrounding Guardiola's future, City chiefs insist they do not know their coach's plans for the future, according to ESPN. Sources close to the agency which works with Guardiola's representatives add that any information about the City manager's future is "heavily protected." The rumours are said to be generated by chatter between rival executives, agents and players, but talk about a potential summer exit for Guardiola refuses to go away, and there would be few surprises now if this were to be the Catalan's last season with the Premier League side. Guardiola has enjoyed phenomenal success at the Etihad Stadium, winning six Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup twice and the Champions League. Yet Man City bosses do not dread the prospect of him leaving, according to the Mirror. A decision is expected this season, on whether Guardiola will leave or see out his contract, and City believe they have the right foundations in place to successfully move on from Guardiola once he does finally wave goodbye to the club.City chairman Khaldoon-Al-Mubarak is set to ask Guardiola's advice about potential replacements, with the club eager to learn from painful lessons experienced by their rivals. Manchester United have struggled since Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to retire in 2013, while Arsenal have also found silverware hard to come by without Arsene Wenger at the helm in north London.The Cityzens are believed to have already drawn up a three-man shortlist of potential candidates to replace Guardiola which includes Enzo Maresca, Xabi Alonso and Cesc Fabregas. Maresca has already admitted to speaking to City during his time in charge of Chelsea, one of the reasons which ultimately led to his departure from Stamford Bridge at the start of the year.Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Guardiola has been quizzed about his future on several occasions already this season. He said in January: "I have a contract. I said a thousand million times. It's 10 years here. I will leave one day, but I have a contract."He was asked a similar question again on Friday and trotted out the same line: "I have one more year on my contract. The question of that is [the same as] one or two months ago, but I will tell you again that it is the same answer."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingGuardiola has previously revealed that when he finally does decide to call it a day at Manchester City, he will take a break from football. He told ESPN Brasil: "I want people to remember me however they want. After my contract with City, I'm going to stop. I'm sure. I don't know if I'm going to retire, but I'm going to take a break. How I want to be remembered, I don't know. All coaches want to win so we can have a memorable job, but I believe that the fans of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City had fun watching my teams play. I don't think we should ever live thinking about whether we're going to be remembered. When we die, our families cry for two or three days and then that's it -- you're forgotten. In the careers of coaches, there are good and bad ones, the important thing is that the good ones are remembered for longer. I'll tell you that the most important thing is not what people think of you, after all, our lives as footballers have been very good. There are new challenges as a coach, I don't know what will happen in the future and in the end that doesn't matter."City have endured a mixed season so far but do have a Carabao Cup final to look forward to after beating Newcastle in midweek and setting up a Wembley date against Arsenal. Before that, Guardiola's side will aim to get their Premier League title challenge back on track on Sunday when they travel to Anfield to face Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola's future at Manchester City has been in the spotlight this season amid increasing speculation that the 55-year-old is currently preparing to end his long stay at the Etihad Stadium. The City manager is contracted to the Premier League club until the summer of 2027 but has been tipped to walk away from the job at the end of the 2025-26 season.Despite the mystery surrounding Guardiola's future, City chiefs insist they do not know their coach's plans for the future, according to ESPN. Sources close to the agency which works with Guardiola's representatives add that any information about the City manager's future is "heavily protected." The rumours are said to be generated by chatter between rival executives, agents and players, but talk about a potential summer exit for Guardiola refuses to go away, and there would be few surprises now if this were to be the Catalan's last season with the Premier League side. Guardiola has enjoyed phenomenal success at the Etihad Stadium, winning six Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup twice and the Champions League. Yet Man City bosses do not dread the prospect of him leaving, according to the Mirror. A decision is expected this season, on whether Guardiola will leave or see out his contract, and City believe they have the right foundations in place to successfully move on from Guardiola once he does finally wave goodbye to the club.City chairman Khaldoon-Al-Mubarak is set to ask Guardiola's advice about potential replacements, with the club eager to learn from painful lessons experienced by their rivals. Manchester United have struggled since Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to retire in 2013, while Arsenal have also found silverware hard to come by without Arsene Wenger at the helm in north London.The Cityzens are believed to have already drawn up a three-man shortlist of potential candidates to replace Guardiola which includes Enzo Maresca, Xabi Alonso and Cesc Fabregas. Maresca has already admitted to speaking to City during his time in charge of Chelsea, one of the reasons which ultimately led to his departure from Stamford Bridge at the start of the year.Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Guardiola has been quizzed about his future on several occasions already this season. He said in January: "I have a contract. I said a thousand million times. It's 10 years here. I will leave one day, but I have a contract."He was asked a similar question again on Friday and trotted out the same line: "I have one more year on my contract. The question of that is [the same as] one or two months ago, but I will tell you again that it is the same answer."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingGuardiola has previously revealed that when he finally does decide to call it a day at Manchester City, he will take a break from football. He told ESPN Brasil: "I want people to remember me however they want. After my contract with City, I'm going to stop. I'm sure. I don't know if I'm going to retire, but I'm going to take a break. How I want to be remembered, I don't know. All coaches want to win so we can have a memorable job, but I believe that the fans of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City had fun watching my teams play. I don't think we should ever live thinking about whether we're going to be remembered. When we die, our families cry for two or three days and then that's it -- you're forgotten. In the careers of coaches, there are good and bad ones, the important thing is that the good ones are remembered for longer. I'll tell you that the most important thing is not what people think of you, after all, our lives as footballers have been very good. There are new challenges as a coach, I don't know what will happen in the future and in the end that doesn't matter."City have endured a mixed season so far but do have a Carabao Cup final to look forward to after beating Newcastle in midweek and setting up a Wembley date against Arsenal. Before that, Guardiola's side will aim to get their Premier League title challenge back on track on Sunday when they travel to Anfield to face Liverpool.
The Speculation Surrounding Guardiola's Future
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding Pep Guardiola's future at Manchester City has captivated football fans and pundits alike. While Guardiola is under contract with the club until 2027, reports suggest that he may opt to leave at the end of the 2025-26 season. The speculation has been further fueled by discussions among rival executives, agents, and players, creating a cloud of uncertainty over Guardiola's tenure at the Etihad Stadium.
City's Preparedness for Guardiola's Potential Exit
Despite Guardiola's remarkable success at Manchester City, club executives are reportedly bracing themselves for the possibility of his departure. City chairman Khaldoon-Al-Mubarak is said to be seeking Guardiola's input on potential replacements, aiming to learn from the struggles faced by other clubs following the exits of long-standing managers like Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. The club has even compiled a shortlist of candidates, including Enzo Maresca, Xabi Alonso, and Cesc Fabregas, in preparation for Guardiola's potential exit.
Guardiola's Future Plans and Legacy
Guardiola himself has hinted at taking a break from football once his tenure at Manchester City comes to an end. While acknowledging the desire for a memorable legacy, Guardiola remains focused on the present and the challenges ahead. Reflecting on his coaching career, Guardiola emphasized the fleeting nature of fame and the importance of enjoying the journey, regardless of future uncertainties.
City's Season Outlook and Guardiola's Focus
As Manchester City navigate a crucial phase of the season, Guardiola's immediate focus remains on delivering results on the field. With a Carabao Cup final on the horizon and the Premier League title race intensifying, Guardiola and his team are determined to overcome challenges and maintain their competitive edge. A pivotal clash against Liverpool awaits them, offering an opportunity to showcase their resilience and ambition.
