Pep Guardiola. (Getty)
The football world has been rocked over the last few days following reports that Pep Guardiola is preparing to step down as Manchester City manager at the end of the season.
Despite still having a year remaining on his current contract, the Spaniard is now expected to walk away from the Etihad, with reports suggesting figures inside the club are frustrated that news of his decision emerged before any official announcement had been made.
Guardiola’s departure would mark the end of one of the most successful managerial eras English football has ever seen, leaving City with the enormous challenge of finding a successor capable of continuing that dominance.
Now, it appears the club already know exactly who they want.
Maresca to Replace Guardiola
According to reports from BBC Sport, former Leicester City and Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is set to become Manchester City’s next head coach ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Talks between City and the Italian are believed to be at an advanced stage, with Maresca now viewed as the leading candidate to take over from Guardiola once the current campaign concludes.
The 46-year-old is no stranger to the Etihad setup. Before spells managing Leicester and later Chelsea, Maresca worked closely under Guardiola during City’s historic treble-winning campaign in 2022/23 and was also heavily involved within the club’s academy structure.
Since leaving Manchester, Maresca’s reputation has continued to rise rapidly. He guided Leicester back to the Premier League at the first attempt before later enjoying major success at Chelsea, where he won both the Club World Cup and Europa Conference League while securing Champions League qualification.
Guardiola himself has previously spoken glowingly about the Italian coach, calling him “one of the best managers in the world.”
For City, the appointment would represent continuity as much as change. Maresca already understands Guardiola’s philosophy, the demands of the club, and the expectations attached to leading one of Europe’s elite sides — something that could make the transition far smoother than many anticipated.
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