Manchester City are moving towards a major summer change. Pep Guardiola is widely expected to leave when the season ends, even though his contract runs until 2027. People inside the club now believe the decision has already been settled, with only the timing of any announcement still to be worked out.
The key detail is a break clause in his deal, which gives him the option to walk away at the end of this campaign. That has turned a normal end-of-season discussion into a far bigger story, especially with City still fighting for the Premier League title and one match left to play.
Why the club is staying quiet
City are not confirming anything in public, and that silence is deliberate. They do not want Guardiola’s future to distract from the title race, where every point still matters. If the club does make an announcement, it is more likely to come after the season finishes and the celebrations are complete.
For now, the message from those close to the situation is simple: nothing has changed. That is not being read as reassurance inside the squad. Instead, it is being taken as a sign that Guardiola’s departure is the most likely outcome.
- Current deal: runs to 2027
- Exit option: available at the end of this season
- Expected tenure if he leaves: 10 years
- Age: 55
Who could follow him
If Guardiola does step aside, City already have a leading candidate in mind. Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is understood to be the front-runner. He is no stranger to the Etihad, having previously worked under Guardiola, and that connection matters to a club that values continuity above all else.
Maresca checks several boxes for City:
- He knows the environment and many of the people involved
- His football ideas are built on possession and control
- He is available after leaving Chelsea
- He has already been mentioned in early discussions
There will likely be other names added to the conversation, but Maresca is the only one strongly linked so far.
One last week, one last trophy chase
The timing could hardly be more dramatic. City still have a title to win, and their next result will decide whether the race goes to the final day. Arsenal’s win over Burnley increased the pressure, so City must beat Bournemouth to stay alive in the chase.
The equation is straightforward:
- A City win: the title fight continues to the final matchday
- A City draw or defeat: Arsenal become champions
That is another reason the club has chosen to avoid public comment. A confirmed Guardiola exit would dominate every headline and would drown out the football still to be played.
A defining spell is already complete
Whatever happens next, Guardiola’s time at City is already one of the most successful coaching spells in English football. His latest FA Cup final win over Chelsea gave him his 20th trophy as City manager, a remarkable total at one club.
The club has already planned celebrations for after the season, including a parade featuring both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup. There is also talk of a stand at the Etihad being renamed in his honour. That kind of tribute is usually reserved for figures whose era is ending, not just pausing.
So even without an official statement, the signs are easy to read. City are preparing for life after Guardiola, and Guardiola appears to be preparing for a fresh start.
What to expect next
The most likely order of events is becoming clear. Guardiola finishes the season, City celebrate their success, and then the club confirms what many already assume. After that, talks would move towards Maresca and the practical details of a replacement.
Until then, the manager has one more game to shape the title race and perhaps one more chance to leave on the highest possible note. If this is indeed the end, it is ending in classic Guardiola fashion: with pressure, trophies, and the whole league watching.