Pep Guardiola will lead Manchester City against Aston Villa this Sunday for the last time. His successor is expected to be 46-year-old Italian coach Enzo Maresca, who led Chelsea to the Champions League and Conference League titles. According to various British media outlets, Guardiola announced his decision to the players and his staff on Monday evening. They were shocked to learn about the news through the media, as it had already been reported on Sunday.

On Saturday, after Manchester City won the FA Cup, the 20th trophy in Guardiola's era, the club's leadership assured the players that he would complete his contract, which runs until June 2027. According to BBC, the club has been preparing for Guardiola's departure for the past six months. Maresca, a former assistant to Guardiola, is the leading candidate to take over the role. During the 2022/23 season, when Manchester City won the domestic double and the Champions League, Maresca played a crucial role in developing young players in the City Academy.

Maresca, a former West Brom and Juventus player, left City in 2023 to coach Leicester City and led them to a Premier League finish in his only season. Guardiola previously praised Maresca as "one of the best managers in the world" and noted that his work at Chelsea did not receive enough recognition. "Winning the Champions League, the Conference League, and qualifying for the Premier League with a young team is exceptional," Guardiola said.

Manchester City faces Bournemouth in the penultimate league match tonight and needs a win to keep the title race alive until the final game. Arsenal, having a five-point lead after last night's 2-0 victory over Burnley, could secure the title they last won 22 years ago. If City defeats Bournemouth and narrows the gap to two points, Arsenal will need to win their final game against Crystal Palace to clinch the title, as a loss or draw would allow City to claim the Premier League for the seventh time under Guardiola.

  • enzo maresca
  • premiership
  • manchester city
  • pep guardiola