Manchester City will grant manager Pep Guardiola complete autonomy over his future at the Etihad Stadium, allowing the Spanish tactician to decide whether he stays or departs when his contract expires.
The club has identified former assistant Enzo Maresca as the clear favourite to replace him if Guardiola chooses to leave. This stance has remained consistent since January, despite external links to other candidates such as Vincent Kompany.
City’s huge update on Guardiola’s future with Enzo Maresca clear favorite
City officials highly value Maresca’s deep familiarity with the club’s playing style and his prior experience working under Guardiola. There are rumors that the Catalan manager will leave when his contract expires, ending an era with the Sky Blues. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano stated on his X (formerly Twitter) account:
“Manchester City will let Pep Guardiola decide what he wants to do with his future.”
Guardiola, who has led the Sky Blues to unprecedented success over the past decade, currently has one year remaining on his deal. The board has no plans to push him out and remains fully supportive, leaving the timing entirely in his hands.
Maresca, who previously served on the City’s coaching staff and later managed Leicester City before a spell at Chelsea, is viewed internally as the ideal candidate to ensure continuity. His tactical approach aligns closely with the positional, possession-based philosophy that has defined the Guardiola era.
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