Pep to leave Man City? Guardiola linked with extraordinary exit after Manchester derby loss with sacked Premier League boss tipped to take over

The atmosphere around Manchester City has become tense in recent weeks. Results have not gone the way the club hoped, performances have raised questions, and now a fresh wave of speculation has started to swirl around the future of the man who transformed the club into a global powerhouse: Pep Guardiola.

For almost a decade, Guardiola has been the face of Manchester City’s success. Since arriving from FC Barcelona and later managing Bayern Munich before coming to England, the Spanish coach built a football empire in Manchester. His philosophy reshaped the way the team plays. His ideas created a style built on possession, intelligence, and relentless attacking football.

But football changes quickly, and in the world of elite sport, even the most successful managers eventually face questions about their future.

After a painful defeat in the Manchester derby against Manchester United, speculation about Guardiola’s next move has exploded once again. The loss did not just hurt because it came against a fierce rival. It also exposed the fragile mood around the club as the season enters a decisive phase.

Some commentators believe the defeat could signal the beginning of the end of Guardiola’s time at the Etihad Stadium.

One of the loudest voices making this claim is veteran broadcaster Richard Keys. Speaking on television after the derby, Keys made a bold and controversial prediction. According to him, Guardiola might not even wait until the end of the season before leaving Manchester City.

In fact, Keys suggested something even more dramatic: the possibility that Guardiola could walk away from the club within days.

It was a statement that immediately caught the attention of football fans everywhere.

For a manager who still has a contract running until 2027, the idea of leaving suddenly seems shocking. Yet football history is full of surprises, and major changes sometimes happen faster than anyone expects.

Keys did not stop there. He also offered a prediction about who might replace Guardiola if such a dramatic exit were to happen.

The first name he mentioned was Enzo Maresca. Maresca previously worked within Manchester City’s coaching structure and later became a manager in his own right. According to Keys, if Guardiola were to leave immediately, Maresca could step in quickly to take charge of the team.

It would be an extraordinary twist. Maresca himself recently experienced a difficult period after being dismissed from his role at Chelsea FC. But football often brings unexpected second chances.

Keys even suggested that Maresca could be in the dugout for City’s next league match if Guardiola stepped aside in the coming days.

The prediction sounded so dramatic that Keys’ fellow presenter, Andy Gray, laughed during the broadcast. Yet Keys insisted he believed his information and repeated the claim confidently.

Still, he also offered another possibility.

If Guardiola remains until the end of the season but decides to leave afterward, Keys believes another familiar figure could return to Manchester.

That man is Vincent Kompany.

For Manchester City supporters, Kompany is more than just a former player. He is a club legend. As captain, he led City through one of the most successful periods in their history, lifting multiple Premier League trophies and delivering unforgettable moments.

Now working as a manager with FC Bayern Munich, Kompany has begun building his own coaching reputation. Some fans dream about the idea of him returning to the Etihad Stadium one day, this time standing on the touchline instead of commanding the defence on the pitch.

Keys believes that scenario could become reality if Guardiola chooses to leave when the season ends.

While these predictions have generated headlines, Guardiola himself has tried to calm the situation.

The Spanish manager has faced questions about his future many times before. In fact, the topic seems to appear almost every season at some point. Reporters repeatedly ask whether he plans to continue at Manchester City or seek a new challenge elsewhere.

Recently, Guardiola appeared frustrated by the constant speculation.

Speaking to reporters, he explained that there are currently no discussions about leaving the club. According to him, the situation is simple: he is still Manchester City’s manager, and he remains committed to the job.

Guardiola reminded everyone that he still has time remaining on his contract. With around 18 months left, he insists there is no immediate reason to talk about departure.

He also spoke about how closely he works with the club’s leadership. The relationship between Guardiola and Manchester City’s hierarchy has always been strong. Decisions about the future, he said, will always be taken together.

But he also made an important point.

In football, nothing lasts forever.

Guardiola openly admitted that one day he will leave the club. Every manager eventually reaches that moment. But according to him, that time has not arrived yet.

He even responded sharply when reporters continued asking whether this season might be his last.

“I already answered that question,” he said, clearly irritated by the repetition.

For Guardiola, the focus remains on football rather than speculation.

The manager explained that his immediate attention is on upcoming matches. Football schedules move quickly, and there is rarely time to dwell on rumours. Teams must constantly prepare for the next opponent.

At the moment, Manchester City face a series of important games across multiple competitions.

In the Premier League, the team is battling to remain close to the leaders. Their main rivals this season have been Arsenal, who have built a strong position at the top of the table.

At the same time, City are still competing in Europe.

Their next major challenge comes in the UEFA Champions League, where they are scheduled to face Real Madrid in a crucial knockout clash. Matches like that represent the highest level of club football, and Guardiola knows how important they are for the club’s ambitions.

Despite the noise surrounding his future, Guardiola insists his focus remains entirely on preparing his team for these battles.

The Manchester derby defeat still lingers in the background, however.

In that match, City were beaten convincingly by Manchester United. Guardiola admitted afterward that the better team had won. He praised United’s energy and acknowledged that his own players failed to control key moments.

Such honesty is typical of Guardiola.

Throughout his career, he has rarely avoided responsibility after poor results. Instead, he often uses defeats as opportunities to analyse what went wrong and improve the team.

After the derby loss, he repeated that philosophy.

According to Guardiola, setbacks are part of the process of building a stronger team. Sometimes a squad must take a step backward before moving forward again.

He reminded everyone that the football season is long and full of challenges. One bad performance does not define an entire campaign.

Yet the pressure around Manchester City is always intense.

The club has grown accustomed to winning trophies almost every year. Fans expect success not only in England but also across Europe. When results fall short of those expectations, discussions about change quickly emerge.

That is why rumours about Guardiola’s future have such a powerful impact.

For many supporters, it is difficult to imagine Manchester City without him. His influence has been enormous. From tactical innovation to player development, Guardiola reshaped the identity of the club.

Players like Erling Haaland have thrived under his guidance. The Norwegian striker has scored goals at a remarkable rate since arriving in Manchester, becoming one of the most feared forwards in world football.

Guardiola’s ability to build attacking systems around players like Haaland has been a key factor in City’s dominance.

But even great eras eventually reach turning points.

Football history shows that long managerial reigns rarely last forever. Legendary figures eventually step aside, making way for new ideas and new leaders.

If Guardiola does decide to leave Manchester City one day, the club will face a huge challenge in choosing the right successor.

Names like Maresca and Kompany represent two very different possibilities. One is a coach with experience inside the City system. The other is a former captain who understands the club’s culture deeply.

Either choice would signal the beginning of a new chapter.

For now, though, Guardiola remains in charge.

Despite the speculation, he continues preparing his players for the battles ahead. The schedule offers little time for distractions. Every match could shape the outcome of the season.

The next few weeks will reveal whether Manchester City can recover from recent setbacks and continue competing for major trophies.

If they do, the rumours about Guardiola’s departure may fade once again.

If they struggle, the speculation will only grow louder.

That is the reality of football at the highest level.

Managers are judged constantly. Victories bring praise, while defeats bring questions. Even the most successful coaches in the world cannot escape that cycle.

For Pep Guardiola, the story at Manchester City is not finished yet.

But as the season unfolds, everyone—from fans to pundits—will be watching closely to see what happens next.