The football world was rocked on May 19, 2026, when Pep Guardiola officially confirmed he is leaving Manchester City at the end of the current season. The announcement, which leaked before Guardiola could deliver it himself, closes a transformational ten-year chapter at the Etihad Stadium. The Spaniard departs as one of the most decorated managers in football history.
Pep Guardiola Departure Comes Ahead of Schedule
Guardiola's departure comes on the heels of Manchester City's FA Cup victory over Chelsea, marking the 55-year-old's 20th major trophy since arriving at the Etihad in 2016.
Though his current contract runs until June 2027, Guardiola is preparing to step down after City's final two matches of the season against Bournemouth and Aston Villa. The decision to exit one year early stunned players, staff, and supporters across the game.
Pep Guardiola Furious After News Leaked to Press
Pep Guardiola did not appreciate the information about his Manchester City exit being leaked to the English press, and was reportedly furious over the timing, with a crucial match just days away.
Guardiola contacted his players on Monday evening to confirm the end of his time with the club himself, and apologized for the manner in which the information was disclosed. Players were reportedly caught off guard, having been told only days earlier that no departure was imminent.
Enzo Maresca Set to Succeed Pep Guardiola at Man City
Manchester City have reached a verbal agreement with Enzo Maresca to become their new manager, with the 46-year-old Italian expected to sign an initial three-year contract.
Maresca previously served as Guardiola's assistant during City's historic treble-winning campaign in 2022–23, giving him deep familiarity with the club's identity and tactical structure. His appointment is being viewed as a careful, continuity-first move rather than a dramatic reinvention.
The club's hierarchy believes Maresca represents continuity rather than revolution — a coach capable of maintaining the positional football, structured buildup play, and tactical control that have defined Guardiola's reign.
Pep Guardiola's Trophy Legacy at Manchester City
Pep Guardiola's decade at City reshaped the Premier League entirely. Guardiola steered City to six Premier League titles in total, including four in a row from 2020–21 to 2023–24, the first time any team had achieved that feat in the league's history.
His crowning achievement was winning the treble in the 2022–23 campaign, ending City's long wait to claim their first Champions League title — the first time an English club had completed the treble since Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United in 1998–99.
| Trophy | Count Under Guardiola |
|---|---|
| Premier League Titles | 6 |
| FA Cup | 3 |
| Carabao Cup | 4 |
| Champions League | 1 |
| Total Major Trophies | 20 |
Premier League Title Race Still On for Pep Guardiola's Final Game
City currently trail Premier League leaders Arsenal by two points with two matches remaining, meaning Guardiola could still finish on a high note with a seventh league title.
His farewell could come as early as May 24 against Aston Villa, potentially with a seventh Premier League title still on the table. The stakes could not be higher for a manager writing the final lines of a legendary story.
What's Next for Pep Guardiola After Manchester City
It is unclear what Guardiola's next act might be, but he would leave City with his legacy fully intact as the greatest manager of his generation and one of the best the game has ever seen.
Guardiola has previously hinted at taking a break from management after his tenure with Manchester City concludes. Whether that means international football, a sabbatical, or retirement entirely, the football world will be watching every move closely.
