Manchester City are reportedly making preparations for Pep Guardiola’s departure at the end of the season. This follows Sunday’s Premier League match against Aston Villa.
Sources have indicated that the managerial great is expected to leave Etihad Stadium at the end of the season.
Despite this, Manchester City maintain that Guardiola has a contract for next season and are hopeful he will remain as manager.
Club Plans to Mark Guardiola’s Tenure
Work towards Guardiola’s anticipated exit is reportedly underway at the club. Members of staff are said to be of the understanding that he will leave.
It is understood that members of the squad are also anticipating his departure after the final game of the season against Villa. The club have apparently turned their attentions towards how best to mark the tenure of their iconic boss.
Naming the newly expanded North Stand after their departing manager is one option the club are understood to be considering.
Maresca Tipped as Potential Replacement
Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who worked under Guardiola at City, is the frontrunner to replace the 55-year-old.
Guardiola’s Record at City
Guardiola has led City to 17 major trophies – and 20 in all – including six Premier League titles, the Champions League, three FA Cups and five EFL Cups during his 10 years at City.
- Six Premier League titles
- The Champions League
- Three FA Cups
- Five EFL Cups
The club’s greatest boss is widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time, and could yet still cap his stellar spell at Etihad Stadium with a seventh league title, having already won the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup this season.
Guardiola on His Future
Speculation about the manager’s future has been rife for months, with the question about his tenure at City often coming up in news conferences.
He was asked on Friday whether the following day’s trip to Wembley for the FA Cup final would be his last visit there. “No way,” he said, reminding reporters he had “one more year” on his contract.
And in an interview before Saturday’s FA Cup final, when asked if he will still be at the club next season, he replied: “Yeah.”
The ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss added: “I am here, I have a contract.”
The same question came earlier on Monday at a news conference to preview Tuesday’s trip to Bournemouth.
Guardiola was asked about Andoni Iraola’s departure from the Cherries and whether he had thought about his own farewell.
He sighed and said: “Next. So many times – I have one more year.”
He was also asked about the prospect of the North Stand being named after him.
“No, no, no, no, no, no, I have no idea [about] that,” he said.
“They don’t have to do anything, honestly.”
Guardiola signed an initial three-year contract with City in February 2016 to take over from Manuel Pellegrini for the start of the 2016-17 season.
Though he finished that campaign without a trophy for the first time in his career – and also went trophyless last season – his City side have otherwise largely dominated English football during his reign.