Man City confirm Guardiola is leaving

Manchester City confirm Pep Guardiola will leave at the end of the season





Manchester City are preparing for Pep Guardiola's exit after Sunday's Premier League match against Aston Villa.



Sources have told BBC Sport that the managerial great is expected to leave Etihad Stadium at the end of the season.


City maintain Guardiola has a contract for next season and are hopeful he will remain as manager.

However, work towards his anticipated exit is under way at the club, with members of staff of the understanding he will leave.
It is understood members of the squad are also anticipating his departure after the final game of the season againt Villa, while the club have turned their attentions towards how best to mark the tenure of their iconic boss.
Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who worked under Guardiola at City, is the front-runner to replace the 55-year-old.
Guardiola has led City to 17 major trophies - and 20 in all - including six Premier League titles, the Champions League, three FA Cups and five EFL Cups during his 10 years at City.
The club's greatest boss is widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time, and could yet still cap his stellar spell at Etihad Stadium with a seventh Premier League title, having already won the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup this season.

Strange this has been leaked this evening, perhaps it has something to do with the 115 charges pending. Maybe he knows something?

Maresca will replace him.

A huge loss to British football in my view, he's changed the way everyone plays.

The second greatest manager of all time, behind Alex Ferguson.

Maresca will replace him.

A huge loss to British football in my view, he's changed the way everyone plays.

The second greatest manager of all time, behind Alex Ferguson.

Agreed mate, however, Maresca is BBM’s mate, and we could end up getting some decent loans out of it.

Maresca will replace him.

A huge loss to British football in my view, he's changed the way everyone plays.

The second greatest manager of all time, behind Alex Ferguson.

Agreed mate, however, Maresca is BBM’s mate, and we could end up getting some decent loans out of it.

Let's hope so, he gave us Kellyman last time so another one like that would be perfect!

Sky Sports saying this story is gathering pace, so looking likely!

David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano both saying:

Enzo Maresca will replace Pep Guardiola.

Crazy for it to leak on a Monday night.

Probably just tired of his time at Man City or he knows about the 115 charges and is announcing his departure now to save everyone worrying about Pep going foreward
For me I won't be satisfied until Man City are relegated so we could technically have home and away trips in manchester next season IF they were charged and found guilty of the charges and get relegated but then the EFL have said they don't want Man City in the EFL so the citizens could play matches in the Vanarama National League.

If things keep going well for BBM does that make him next in line after Maresca?
The Prem will be worse off without a manager like Pep.

Very odd timing. Particularly given he has another year on his contract. Can only think something material is about to come out about the 115 charges, and Man City’s/Pep’s hand has been forced to announce it now.

Probably just tired of his time at Man City or he knows about the 115 charges and is announcing his departure now to save everyone worrying about Pep going foreward
For me I won't be satisfied until Man City are relegated so we could technically have home and away trips in manchester next season IF they were charged and found guilty of the charges and get relegated but then the EFL have said they don't want Man City in the EFL so the citizens could play matches in the Vanarama National League.

EFL are full of s**t. Man City in the EFL would boost their viewing numbers/attendance/sponsorship/corporate. Money talks.

Very odd timing. Particularly given he has another year on his contract. Can only think something material is about to come out about the 115 charges, and Man City’s/Pep’s hand has been forced to announce it now.

Maybe trying to steal some of Arsenal's thunder on the day they virtually wrapped up the PL title.

I remember Dave Jones got sacked on the same day that the JBs were in the play off final.

I don't buy the argument that this has anything to do with the charges against Man City.

I highly doubt Pep had any input in the decisions that led to those charges, he would have just been pleased to have a good transfer budget.

Let's wait for the 115 charges
if guilty they will be playing Scunthorpe in the Vanarama National League

Let's wait for the 115 charges
if guilty they will be playing Scunthorpe in the Vanarama National League

He had 1 year left on his contract + the charges hmm ...

Manchester City confirm Pep Guardiola will leave at the end of the season

Maresca will replace him.

A huge loss to British football in my view, he's changed the way everyone plays.

The second greatest manager of all time, behind Alex Ferguson.

Guardiola's just a shit Omar Riza.

Man c won't be charged with all 115 rule breaks be more like 20 by time lawyers have finished they do say investigations are complete and people don't understand why commission won't publish results? It's a case of what comes first the charges or premier league running out of money fighting it... as for pep he's off to do same role as clopp as with red bull.....global ambassador for man c group.....

The merchandise stalls were doing a roaring trade before kick-off as flags and scarves emblazoned with Pep Guardiola's face were bought by those attending the end of this incredible era.

The arrival of the City team bus was greeted by hundreds of supporters lining up alongside the barriers in front of the Colin Bell Stand entrance, hoping to catch a glimpse of Guardiola entering the stadium for one last time as their manager.

His tenure has delivered the Premier League title six times, as well as the holy grail of a Champions League plus three FA Cups and five Carabao Cups.

City have never previously seen success like it. Very, very few have. Only the great Manchester United era under Sir Alex Ferguson and Bob Paisley's Liverpool in the 1970s and '80s have enjoyed such trophy laden years.

A huge banner was unfurled in the East Stand as the players emerged onto the pitch before kick-off that read '10 years with Pep - Game changer, history maker, City forever'.

Villa boss Unai Emery, who called Guardiola football's "only genius" in the build-up to the game, presented his fellow Spaniard with a memento before the match began.

Guardiola barely flinched when his penultimate signing Antoine Semenyo volleyed home the opening goal, instead remaining in his seat and seemingly taking it all in.

To the left, his name will be immortalised at Etihad Stadium forever, with the newly expanded north end renamed the 'Pep Guardiola Stand' in his honour.