Pep Guardiola’s historic tenure at Manchester City is drawing to a close. Reports from various trusted media outlets are now claiming he will leave the Premier League side at the end of the season, marking the conclusion of an historic era.
The day Manchester City feared most appears to have arrived, with speculation over his departure growing steadily louder since January. His decade-long spell at the club will go down as one of the most successful eras in their history, delivering a remarkable collection of trophies, including six Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.
He brought fearless football to the blue half of Manchester, defenders calmly playing out from their own six-yard box, centre-backs transformed into full-backs, and a brand of breathtaking, dominant football rarely seen in English football before his arrival. Now, we look at the winners and losers from his departure.
Winner: Enzo Maresca
Speculation suggests Manchester City may have already identified Pep Guardiola’s successor, with the club seemingly preparing for this moment behind the scenes and positioning the next manager to carry their dominance into a new era.
Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, previously part of Guardiola’s coaching staff at the Etihad, is believed to be the leading candidate to step into the role. While the possibility of points deductions linked to the club’s financial charges could cast uncertainty over the next chapter, Maresca may view it as the ideal opportunity to move the club beyond Guardiola’s shadow and begin a new revolution of his own.
Losers: Manchester City fans
Match after match, the Citizens faithful passionately chant Guardiola’s name, fiercely backing every decision the Catalan manager makes. He is a certified hero for everything he has brought to the club, the mesmerizing football he has coached, and the joyful moments that will define every fan's footballing memories.
The desperation to keep him has even spilled over onto social media, with fans flooding his daughter’s recent Instagram posts with a singular, pleading message: "One more season." There will be tears within the stands of the Vitality Stadium tomorrow evening and at the Etihad next Sunday if /when the news is confirmed.
Winners: Premier League title challengers
Pep Guardiola has spent years building fierce rivalries with the sides attempting to dethrone him. He helped knock Manchester United from their long-held perch at the summit of English football, restricted an outstanding Liverpool side to just two Premier League titles during one of the most competitive eras in the division’s history, and repeatedly frustrated and humbled Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
There is little doubt Guardiola’s departure will encourage his rivals, particularly Arsenal, who appear to be entering a period where their moment to dominate may finally have arrived. Liverpool are beginning another rebuild, while Manchester United remain in transition, but all of his challengers will take confidence from seeing arguably the greatest manager in football history leaving the league.
Losers: Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi
The January signings from Bournemouth and Crystal Palace have completely transformed the club into a winning machine, securing the EFL and FA cups. While they likely joined to learn under Guardiola’s mastery, they will ultimately get just six months of his guidance. And while the prospect of winning silverware under Enzo Maresca will still entice them, the chances of success would undoubtedly be higher with Guardiola at the helm.
Winner: Phil Foden
City’s brightest academy product will undoubtedly be grateful to Guardiola for overseeing the most significant and successful period of his career. However, for one reason or another this season, Phil Foden has cut a figure who looks in need of a fresh challenge. Having recently signed a new contract, the arrival of a new manager is exactly the kind of shake-up he will be getting ahead of next season.
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