Pep Guardiola’s managerial journey has once again become the subject of intense speculation following reports that the Manchester City boss may be preparing to leave the club at the end of the current season. Just days after marking his 1000th game in management with a resounding 3-0 victory over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium, news broke from a highly respected journalist suggesting that Guardiola could be set to call time on his remarkable spell in Manchester. The occasion against Liverpool had seemed like a celebration of Guardiola’s enduring brilliance. His team produced a masterclass of controlled aggression and tactical precision, with goals from Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez, and Jeremy Doku sealing a comprehensive win over the reigning Premier League champions. The result marked Guardiola’s 716th career victory and kept City firmly in the hunt for another league title, cutting the gap to four points behind leaders Arsenal after the Gunners were held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland. For many, the performance reflected not only the strength of Guardiola’s latest iteration of Manchester City but also the manager’s ability to constantly evolve his team, adapt to new challenges, and sustain hunger for success even after years of dominance.
Guardiola’s recent rejuvenation has been attributed to several key factors. Over the summer, City underwent a subtle but significant transformation, with new coaching additions such as James French, Kolo Touré, and Pep Lijnders joining the backroom staff. Their presence has reportedly injected fresh ideas and perspectives into Guardiola’s established framework, fostering an atmosphere of creativity and renewal. On the pitch, the squad has been refreshed as well, with a mix of promising young talents and established stars giving City renewed energy. The emergence of players like Doku, whose explosive dribbling and directness offer something different from Guardiola’s traditional possession-heavy style, has given City a more unpredictable edge. Even as the Catalan coach celebrates over a decade in English football, his appetite for innovation remains undimmed.
Yet, despite the apparent harmony and the sense of a new cycle beginning at Manchester City, a report from Paul Hirst of *The Times* has cast doubt on Guardiola’s long-term future. According to Hirst, sources close to the situation have admitted that “a departure next summer is a possibility,” with those in the know believing that an exit after ten seasons in charge would be “a logical time to leave.” The report clarifies that no final decision has been made, but the suggestion that Guardiola might step away once this campaign concludes has naturally sent ripples through the football world. It would be the end of an era — one that has redefined not only Manchester City but also English football as a whole. Since his arrival in 2016, Guardiola has turned City into a relentless winning machine, claiming every major domestic honour and, crucially, finally delivering the Champions League trophy that had long eluded the club.
Fans, however, have made their feelings crystal clear. Before the Liverpool match, City supporters unveiled a giant banner reading “Volem que et quedis” — Catalan for “We want you to stay.” It was a heartfelt message to the manager who has brought unprecedented glory and global prestige to their club. Guardiola, now 54 years old, is contracted until the end of the 2026/27 season, having extended his deal amid speculation last year when City endured a difficult spell. His loyalty to his projects is well-documented; he tends to fulfil his contracts and rarely makes hasty exits. However, as *The Times* piece notes, those closest to him believe that the summer of 2026 — marking ten full seasons at City — might represent a natural endpoint. Guardiola has always spoken about the emotional and mental intensity required to sustain success at the elite level, often hinting that his managerial career might not extend indefinitely.
The speculation comes at a time when City are showing signs of another great resurgence. With Haaland leading the line as arguably the most lethal striker in world football and Doku adding a thrilling new dimension on the wing, Guardiola’s team appears to be entering yet another evolutionary phase. His tactical setup has grown more fluid, with an emphasis on unpredictability and controlled chaos in both attack and defence. Following the Liverpool win, Guardiola spoke about this transformation, saying, “We are more unpredictable in the way we attack and defend, and that is good that the opponents don’t know what we are going to do. It is good energy to have during the games.” His comments reflected not just satisfaction with the team’s current form but also an awareness that football’s constant evolution demands perpetual reinvention — something he has mastered throughout his career at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and now City.
If Guardiola were to leave next summer, he would do so having completed what many would consider a perfect cycle. Over nearly a decade, he has won the Premier League multiple times, guided City to domestic trebles, and finally achieved European success. More importantly, he has changed the way football is played and perceived in England, embedding a philosophy of technical excellence, positional intelligence, and relentless attacking intent. For many coaches across the league, Guardiola’s influence is inescapable; his tactical innovations — from the use of inverted full-backs to the fluid front-three rotations — have been studied, copied, and adapted across the footballing world. His departure would mark the end of one of the most influential managerial reigns in Premier League history.
However, Guardiola’s story at City has often seemed to flirt with endings that never quite materialize. On multiple occasions, rumours of his impending departure have surfaced, only for him to recommit to the project and extend his contract. Each time, speculation about burnout or diminishing motivation has proven unfounded, with Guardiola returning more determined than ever. Those who know him best describe him as someone who is driven less by trophies and more by the process — the daily challenge of improving players, innovating tactics, and finding new ways to dominate opponents. In that sense, walking away while still at the top could appeal to him, but so too could the prospect of continuing to evolve and adapt in the face of new rivals like Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal and Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
For Manchester City supporters, the thought of life without Guardiola is almost unthinkable. He has become synonymous with the club’s identity, crafting a brand of football that has blended artistry with ruthless efficiency. Under his stewardship, City have not only accumulated silverware but also built a legacy based on style, dominance, and a clear tactical philosophy. Players who have worked under him often speak about his unmatched attention to detail and his ability to challenge them intellectually as well as physically. Even those who have moved on, such as Ilkay Gündogan and Raheem Sterling, have credited Guardiola with transforming their understanding of the game. His presence has elevated the entire organization — from the academy structure to recruitment and training methods — ensuring that City’s success is deeply institutional rather than transient.
The uncertainty surrounding Guardiola’s future inevitably raises questions about what comes next for City. If he does choose to depart at the end of the season, identifying a successor capable of sustaining his standards will be one of the club’s most delicate tasks. Figures like Mikel Arteta, who served as Guardiola’s assistant before taking over at Arsenal, are often mentioned as potential future candidates, though such speculation remains premature. What is clear, however, is that Guardiola’s influence will continue to shape City long after he leaves. His imprint is woven into every aspect of the club’s footballing DNA.
Still, there are reasons to believe that this latest round of rumours could prove premature. Guardiola has shown time and again that he thrives on challenges and reinvention. Having introduced new staff members and reshaped his squad, he might view the coming seasons as an opportunity to build yet another great team, one capable of extending City’s domestic and European dominance. His current contract gives him the freedom to plan long-term, and with an environment that fully supports his vision — from owner Sheikh Mansour to sporting director Txiki Begiristain — there is little external pressure forcing an early exit. Indeed, those who have predicted his departure in the past have consistently been proven wrong. Guardiola’s deep connection with his players and his continued fascination with football’s tactical evolution make it entirely possible that he will remain at the helm beyond next summer.
Ultimately, Guardiola’s future may hinge not on external speculation but on his own inner drive. Few managers in history have sustained such an intense commitment to excellence over such an extended period. Whether he stays or goes, his legacy at Manchester City is already secure. He has transformed the club into a global powerhouse, elevated the standards of English football, and inspired a new generation of coaches and players. For now, City fans can only hope that the banner displayed before the Liverpool game — “We want you to stay” — will resonate with their manager and persuade him to extend his extraordinary journey in Manchester just a little longer.
Even as rumours swirl and journalists continue to probe his future, Guardiola remains focused on the immediate task: guiding Manchester City through another demanding season and pushing his players to their limits. For him, the work never stops. Whether this is the beginning of the end or merely the start of another chapter in his remarkable tenure, one thing is certain — Pep Guardiola’s impact on Manchester City and football at large will be felt for generations to come.
