Pep Guardiola has once again placed Manchester City at the centre of football’s biggest conversation, not because of a stunning win or a tactical masterclass, but because of growing uncertainty about his future and the quiet plans already being made for life after him. Even though Guardiola signed a new two-year contract extension in November 2024, there is now a strong feeling inside and outside the club that the 2025/26 season could be his last as manager at the Etihad Stadium. For a club that has been shaped, rebuilt, and lifted to historic heights by one man, the idea of Guardiola leaving feels almost unreal, yet the signs are becoming harder to ignore.
Guardiola has been Manchester City’s head coach since 2016, and in that time he has turned the club into a modern football giant. Six Premier League titles, a long-awaited UEFA Champions League trophy, multiple domestic cups, record-breaking seasons, and a style of play copied across the world have defined his reign. City did not just win; they dominated, controlled games, and changed how English football looks and feels. Guardiola’s influence goes beyond trophies. He changed the culture, raised standards, and made Manchester City a destination for the best players and coaches in the world.
Yet, as history has shown with Guardiola at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, his stays are never endless. He gives everything, mentally and emotionally, and eventually reaches a point where he feels the cycle is complete. That is why, despite the contract extension, many close observers believe he could decide to walk away at the end of the current season or the next one. According to respected journalist David Ornstein of The Athletic, Manchester City are already preparing for that possibility. Quiet discussions, background checks, and early assessments are taking place, not because Guardiola has confirmed his exit, but because a club of City’s size cannot afford to be unprepared.
The report suggests that well-placed sources believe anticipation is growing that the 2025/26 campaign will be Guardiola’s final one in charge. A firm decision is expected to be made near the end of the season, once Guardiola has had time to reflect on his energy levels, motivation, and future ambitions. City’s leadership understands Guardiola better than anyone. They know that once his mind is made up, it is final. That is why they are already thinking about succession, even while fully supporting him in the present.
One of the names strongly linked with the job is Enzo Maresca, the current Chelsea head coach. Maresca is not a random candidate. He is someone deeply connected to Guardiola and Manchester City’s football philosophy. He worked at the club twice, first as a youth coach during the 2020/21 season, and later as part of Guardiola’s first-team coaching staff during the historic 2022/23 treble-winning campaign. During that period, Maresca was not just an assistant standing on the sidelines. He was involved in training, tactical discussions, and the daily work that shaped one of the best teams football has ever seen.
Since leaving City, Maresca has built a managerial career that has impressed many at the highest level. He took charge of Leicester City and guided them with authority, before moving on to Chelsea. At Stamford Bridge, he delivered silverware by winning the Conference League and later the Club World Cup. These achievements, combined with his deep understanding of Guardiola’s methods, have made him attractive to City’s hierarchy. They see him as someone who could maintain continuity while still bringing his own ideas.
However, Maresca’s situation is far from simple. In recent weeks, he has looked visibly frustrated in press conferences, openly admitting that he experienced the worst 48 hours of his managerial career after Chelsea’s 2-0 win against Everton. Despite the victory, the pressure, criticism, and internal challenges at Chelsea appear to have taken a toll on him. This has led to questions about whether he would be willing to leave Chelsea so soon, or whether City would want to take a manager who is still navigating turbulence at his current club.
Importantly, The Athletic report makes it clear that Maresca is not the only candidate being considered. City are casting a wide net, exploring different profiles and possibilities. While Maresca represents continuity, there is another name that carries far more emotion, symbolism, and history at Manchester City. That name is Vincent Kompany.
Guardiola himself has openly spoken about Kompany as a future Manchester City manager. In 2023, he made a striking statement that quickly caught the attention of fans. He said Kompany’s destiny to become City manager was already written in the stars, and that it would happen one day, even if he did not know when. These were not casual words. Guardiola is careful with his praise, especially when it comes to predicting futures. When he speaks like this, people listen.
At the time, Kompany was managing Burnley and was beginning to make a name for himself as a coach with strong principles and leadership qualities. Since then, his rise has been rapid. He took over at Bayern Munich, one of the biggest clubs in the world, and delivered the Bundesliga title in the 2024/25 season. Managing Bayern is not easy. The pressure is constant, expectations are extreme, and the spotlight never fades. Kompany handled it with calm authority, further boosting his reputation across Europe.
For Manchester City fans, Kompany is more than just a former player. He is a club legend. Between 2008 and 2019, he made 360 appearances for City, captained the team for eight years, and played a central role in the club’s transformation from underachievers to serial winners. He lifted four Premier League titles, scored iconic goals, and led the team through defining moments. His leadership, professionalism, and connection with supporters made him one of the most respected figures in the club’s history.
The idea of Kompany returning as manager feels almost poetic. A captain who embodied the club’s values, learning under Guardiola, then going out into the world to develop as a coach, before one day coming home to lead City into a new era. It is a story that appeals deeply to fans and decision-makers alike. Guardiola’s endorsement only strengthens that narrative.
Yet, reality brings complications. Kompany is currently under contract with Bayern Munich until June 2029. Leaving such a role would not be simple, especially after achieving success there. When asked recently about the possibility of joining Manchester City in the future, Kompany was firm and focused. He said he had zero thoughts about other teams and that his full attention was on Bayern and what they could achieve together. He explained that he prefers to live in the present, fully committed to the challenges in front of him.
Those words suggest that any move would not happen in the immediate future, unless circumstances change dramatically. City would have to be patient, respectful, and strategic if they truly want Kompany. They also have to consider timing. Guardiola’s departure, if it happens, might not align perfectly with Kompany’s availability.
This leaves Manchester City in a delicate position. Replacing Pep Guardiola is one of the hardest tasks in modern football. No manager can simply step in and replicate what he has done. City are not just losing a coach; they would be losing a system, a philosophy, and a figure who has shaped every level of the club. That is why the succession plan is so important. The next manager must understand the club’s identity, handle immense pressure, manage world-class players, and maintain standards that have been set incredibly high.
Guardiola himself appears aware of this responsibility. The fact that he has reportedly shared his thoughts on who could replace him shows his deep care for the club’s future. He does not want City to fall into chaos after his departure. He wants continuity, stability, and long-term success, even without him.
As the season progresses, every Guardiola press conference, every comment, and every result will be analysed for clues. Fans will watch closely, knowing that they might be witnessing the final chapters of an extraordinary era. At the same time, names like Maresca and Kompany will continue to be discussed, debated, and compared.
One represents tactical continuity and recent success under Guardiola’s guidance. The other represents legacy, leadership, and emotional connection. Manchester City must decide what matters most in their next chapter. Do they choose the safe path of familiarity, or the bold path of destiny fulfilled?
For now, nothing is confirmed. Guardiola remains fully committed to his job, City continue to compete at the highest level, and potential successors focus on their own careers. But behind the scenes, the future is being quietly prepared. When the moment finally arrives, Manchester City want to be ready, not scrambling.
Pep Guardiola’s time at Manchester City will be remembered as one of the greatest managerial eras football has ever seen. Whether he leaves at the end of this season or the next, his impact is permanent. The question now is not just when he will go, but who will be trusted to follow in his footsteps and carry the weight of a legacy that may never be matched.
