Pep Guardiola is set to leave Manchester City one year early, with Enzo Maresca expected to replace him as manager – but the rumours about a potential change at the Etihad have been swirling for months
Pep Guardiola maybe set to leave Manchester City – but it wasn’t so long ago that he was batting away enquiries about Enzo Maresca as his prospective successor.
The Manchester City manager has been plagued by speculation that Maresca was poised to take over at the Etihad for several months.
It became apparent on Monday (May 18) that the gossip seemed to hold water after claims made by the Daily Mail. The Catalan is tied to City until the summer of 2027 but is now poised to stand down 12 months ahead of schedule as he marks a decade at City.
Former City academy coach and Pep’s right-hand man Maresca is anticipated to be unveiled as the successor to the Etihad crown.
And Guardiola evidently grew weary of the persistent questions about his future amid whispers suggesting his former apprentice was eyeing his job, reports the Mirror.
When asked about his future and whether he was conscious of rumours indicating Maresca was due to take his place, he responded in January: “You want to fire me? My salary is so high, so I have one more year.”
The friction didn’t stop there, though, after the Catalan faced further probing about whether he planned to fulfil the final year of his contract. And Guardiola was crystal clear in his reply.
“Oh my God. I have a contract, I’ve said it a thousand million times,” came his retort.
“I know you are bored of me, 10 years here. You want [me to leave]? Yeah, I’m pretty sure of that.”
As it transpires, Guardiola may not complete his contract as he may depart this summer. And it leaves his replacement with some of the most daunting shoes to fill in football management history.
The 55-year-old will exit as one of Europe’s most accomplished coaches, having overseen an unparalleled era of triumph at the Etihad. Yet former assistant Maresca offers an excellent opportunity to replicate the same approach that made his predecessor such a sensation in England.
Guardiola has secured six Premier League titles, the Champions League, three FA Cups, five League Cups and a FIFA Club World Cup at City. For all the achievements the club began to accumulate before his arrival, it was only after Guardiola’s appointment in 2016 that the club truly evolved into today’s powerhouse.
Maresca will face enormous pressure to recreate his former mentor’s philosophy and elevate City to even loftier peaks. Nevertheless, it’s doubtful whether he’ll get any assistance from his ex-colleague as Guardiola brings his City spell to a close twelve months ahead of schedule.