Behind the scenes at major clubs, crucial decisions are rarely made suddenly. As the season draws to a close, a different kind of conversation has begun at Manchester City, one that is quiet in public but serious behind closed doors, regarding the future of the club’s managerial position.
Although the picture remains unclear, the club’s management is acting proactively and developing several scenarios to prepare for any potential developments. The objective is clear: to safeguard managerial stability and ensure the continuity of the sporting project without unexpected shocks.
Related topics
As the weeks progress, a particular name has begun to circulate strongly within the Etihad Stadium, a name closely aligned with the club’s philosophy and inner workings, and one who has left a positive impression at previous clubs, earning trust and respect.
The situation is becoming clearer. The Athletic has revealed a growing belief that this season could be Pep Guardiola’s last with Manchester City, despite his contract officially running until June 2027 after being renewed in November 2024. As is customary, the Spanish coach prefers to delay decisions about his future until the later stages of the season.
Enzo Maresca has emerged as one of the leading candidates to succeed Guardiola, benefiting from his deep understanding of the club’s culture, having previously worked at Manchester City at both youth-team level and as part of the first-team coaching staff. This prior connection gives him a clear advantage over others, although he is not the only option under consideration.
However, these discussions are not linked to any legal issues involving the club in the Premier League. Informed sources confirm that Guardiola’s future is a purely technical matter, unrelated to such concerns.
Maresca, meanwhile, is under a long-term contract with Chelsea until 2029, with an option to extend. Despite some recent media tension, he continues to enjoy strong fan support and is leading the team to compete effectively both domestically and in Europe.
Ultimately, the decisive factor remains Guardiola’s own wishes, particularly after he previously stated his intention to take a break from coaching once his time at Manchester City comes to an end, with the final decision to be made when he deems appropriate.
Until then, Manchester City continues to work quietly, while keeping all options open.
