City Boss Pep Guardiola Could ‘Leave Manchester City This Week’ After Man Utd Loss – And his replacement has been shortlisted this morning.

Football has once again found itself in the middle of a storm, and this time the anger, confusion, and frustration are louder than ever. FIFA has officially announced the dismissal of the match officials and referees involved in the controversial Manchester City versus Liverpool clash, a decision that has sent shockwaves across the football world. Fans, players, managers, and pundits have all reacted strongly, with many saying this decision was long overdue. The match itself was already heated, but what followed has turned it into one of the most talked-about games of the season.

The moment that changed everything came when Ryan Cherki thought he had scored a crucial goal for Manchester City. The Etihad erupted, City players celebrated, and Pep Guardiola was seen pumping his fists on the touchline. But within seconds, the joy turned into confusion. The referee ruled the goal out, claiming there had been a foul by Ryan Cherki on Dominik Szoboszlai in the build-up. VAR quickly stepped in, reviewed the incident, and somehow agreed with the on-field decision. Replays later showed that the contact was minimal, and many experts argued it was never a foul in the first place.

What made the situation even worse was how inconsistent the decision appeared when compared to similar incidents earlier in the season. Fans immediately accused VAR of once again making a massive mistake against Manchester City. Social media exploded with anger, with many supporters claiming that City are being treated unfairly and that officials seem to be favouring Arsenal in the title race. Whether this belief is true or not, the feeling among City fans is very real and very strong.

FIFA’s decision to dismiss the officials involved did not come lightly. After reviewing the footage, the communication between the referee and VAR, and the post-match reports, FIFA concluded that the decision-making process failed to meet the required standards. In a short but powerful statement, FIFA confirmed that the referees involved would no longer officiate top-level matches until further notice. While FIFA stopped short of admitting bias, the punishment itself spoke volumes.

This controversy arrived at a terrible time for Manchester City, who are already under immense pressure both on and off the pitch. Just days earlier, City suffered a painful 2-0 defeat away to Manchester United at Old Trafford, a result that stunned fans and raised serious questions about the team’s direction. It was not just the loss, but the manner of it, that worried everyone connected to the club. City looked slow, disconnected, and completely out of ideas.

Manchester United, managed by Michael Carrick, played with hunger and belief. They pressed City high, disrupted their rhythm, and took their chances when they came. Second-half goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu sealed a famous derby victory for the red side of Manchester, erasing memories of their earlier humiliation in the season. For City, it was a humiliating afternoon that left Pep Guardiola standing on the touchline looking helpless.

The statistics from that match only added to the concern. Erling Haaland, usually so deadly in front of goal, is currently on a seven-game run without scoring from open play. This is the longest goal drought of his club career in Europe’s top five leagues. For a striker who built his reputation on scoring goals at will, this slump has become a symbol of City’s wider problems.

Despite the scoreline, the 2-0 defeat actually flattered Manchester City. United could have scored more, and City rarely looked like mounting a serious comeback. Guardiola, the man who has won six league titles since arriving from Bayern Munich in 2016, could not find a solution. His expensive squad looked tired, predictable, and strangely lacking in confidence. The loss meant City dropped crucial points in what is becoming an intense and unforgiving Premier League title race.

After the final whistle, the focus quickly shifted from the players to the manager. Veteran broadcaster Richard Keys made headlines with a sensational claim about Guardiola’s future during his post-match analysis. According to Keys, this defeat might be the beginning of the end for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

City’s position in the league table now looks increasingly uncomfortable. With Aston Villa close behind and Arsenal pulling away at the top, City’s hopes of retaining the title are fading fast. Arsenal’s consistency has been impressive, and every City mistake feels more damaging than ever. Some fans have even started to believe that decisions from officials, like the one against Liverpool, are pushing the title in Arsenal’s direction.

Last season was already painful for Guardiola and his team, as they finished without a single trophy. For a manager used to success, that campaign felt unfamiliar and deeply uncomfortable. If this season follows the same path, the pressure on Guardiola will become unbearable. This is especially true considering City spent £65 million on Antoine Semenyo, a signing meant to refresh the squad and push them back to dominance.

Guardiola signed a new two-year contract extension in November 2024, which should keep him at the club until 2027. At the time, it felt like a clear statement of commitment from both sides. But football moves quickly, and contracts mean very little when results disappear. The recent dismissal of Enzo Maresca from Chelsea has only added fuel to the speculation, with many wondering if Guardiola might decide to walk away before the situation gets worse.

During beIN Sports’ coverage of the derby, Richard Keys delivered what many described as a bombshell. He suggested that Guardiola might not even be in charge for City’s next Premier League match against Wolves at the Etihad.

Keys claimed that while Guardiola is almost certain to leave at the end of the season, there is a real chance he could step away immediately. He insisted that the pressure, criticism, and internal tension are weighing heavily on Guardiola’s mind. According to Keys, the idea of leaving this week is something Guardiola is seriously considering.

Andy Gray, sitting alongside Keys, agreed that Guardiola’s time at City is coming to an end. He went even further, suggesting that Vincent Kompany is already being looked at as a long-term successor. If Guardiola were to leave suddenly, Keys believes Enzo Maresca would take over on an interim basis.

For many City fans, this talk feels unreal. Guardiola is not just a manager; he is the architect of the most successful period in the club’s history. He transformed City into a machine built on possession, control, and relentless attacking football. But even the greatest eras must end, and signs of decline are becoming harder to ignore.

The loss of tactical sharpness, the predictable patterns of play, and the visible frustration on Guardiola’s face all point to a man who may be running out of answers. Last season, Liverpool wrapped up the title with four games to spare, exposing City’s vulnerability. This season, Arsenal look set to do the same.

Enzo Maresca’s name has quietly risen to the top of City’s shortlist. His connection to the club runs deep, having worked under Guardiola and understanding the philosophy inside out. Despite a turbulent spell at Chelsea, many within City’s hierarchy still believe Maresca has the intelligence and courage needed to step into the role.

According to reports, Maresca left Chelsea after a frustrating draw with Bournemouth, choosing not to speak to the media as he considered his future. That silence only increased speculation about his next move.

Meanwhile, controversy continues to follow City everywhere they go. Pep Guardiola recently spoke out about another VAR incident, this time involving Manchester United, where Diogo Dalot avoided a red card for a dangerous tackle. PGMOL is now under heavy scrutiny, and trust in officiating is at an all-time low.

Fans are angry, confused, and exhausted. They feel the rules change every week and that consistency no longer exists. For City supporters, the belief that decisions are going against them has grown stronger with every incident.

As the season moves forward, uncertainty surrounds everything at Manchester City. The manager’s future, the team’s form, the officials’ credibility, and the title race itself all hang in the balance. What once felt like an era of total control now feels fragile and close to collapse.

Football can be cruel, even to the greatest minds the game has ever seen. Pep Guardiola may still fight, may still turn things around, but the noise around him is getting louder. FIFA’s decision to sack referees has only added another layer to an already chaotic season.

Whether Guardiola stays or leaves, whether City recover or fall further behind, one thing is certain. This season will be remembered not just for goals and trophies, but for controversy, tension, and the feeling that something special is coming to an end.