The signs Manchester City are quietly preparing for life after Pep Guardiola

Is Pep leaving Man City? Why Guardiola’s future is under scrutiny, what’s changed at City and which managers could replace him.

The future of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City is as uncertain as it has ever been.

Yes, he signed a contract extension that runs to 2027. Yes, he remains fully in charge on the touchline. But there is a growing sense, both inside the club and around it, that the end of his time at the Etihad may arrive earlier than the paperwork suggests.

This isn’t being driven by poor results or unrest behind the scenes, but there is a sense that City are quietly preparing for life after him.

Why Are There Doubts About Pep Guardiola’s Future?

Guardiola has never hidden how demanding he finds management.

When he agreed his most recent deal, he admitted there was a point when he believed the 2024–25 season would be his last at City. Of course, he ultimately changed his mind, but the toll of the role hasn’t waned.

Guardiola has long said he would never manage for as long as Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger, and he has repeatedly spoken about the need for a break from football at some stage.

Approaching 10 years at City, that moment feels close.

The club are already in the middle of a quiet transition. The departure of Txiki Begiristain, Guardiola’s long-time ally and sporting director, brought an end to one of the defining partnerships of modern football.

Hugo Viana has stepped into the role, working with Guardiola on a refresh of the squad.

Several senior players have moved on or been gently phased out, with a clear emphasis on younger profiles.

It looks like a natural evolution, but it’s also the kind of change clubs tend to undergo just before – or just after – a managerial handover.

Could Pep Guardiola Leave in 2026 or 2027?

Nothing has been confirmed, but there is belief that Guardiola may see a decade at City as a natural end point. That would place a potential departure in 2026, even though his contract runs longer.

There are also parallels with Jurgen Klopp, who announced his Liverpool exit well before the end of his deal after feeling mentally drained by the role.

Guardiola has always insisted he will walk away while still motivated, rather than wait for decline to set in.

Are Man City Preparing for Pep Guardiola’s Exit?

Manchester City are not panicking, but they are thinking ahead. No elite club waits until a manager leaves before thinking about succession, especially when that manager is one of the greatest of all time.

Guardiola himself has said the club’s structure is strong enough to support a new head coach, which feels quite revealing in itself.

Who Could Replace Pep Guardiola at Man City?

Several names are already being linked with the role. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is understood to be high on City’s list.

A former Guardiola assistant, Maresca knows the club inside out and has built a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising coaches since leaving the Etihad.

However, Maresca was quick to shut down the Man City links, and insists he remains fully committed to Chelsea.

Vincent Kompany is another figure Guardiola has openly backed as a future City manager.

His work at Bayern Munich has strengthened that case, showing he can handle elite dressing rooms and pressure environments, after the jury remained out during his Burnley stint.

Other Guardiola proteges, including Mikel Arteta, remain admired, but prising him away from Arsenal is unlikely, while managers like Xabi Alonso, whose Real Madrid future is in doubt, and Julian Nagelsmann will also be considered.

Is Pep Guardiola Leaving Man City This Summer?

At this stage, there is no confirmation that Guardiola will leave Manchester City next summer. Publicly, both he and the club remain aligned, and there is no suggestion of an imminent announcement.

But there is a real mod change here. Guardiola’s relentless intensity, the structural changes behind the scenes, and the club’s quiet forward planning all suggest that the end – whenever it comes – may arrive sooner than many expect.

For now, the question isn’t really whether Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City. It’s how close we are to the moment when he decides he’s finally done.