Manchester City have reportedly started exploring potential successors to manager Pep Guardiola amid growing uncertainty over whether the Spanish tactician will remain at the club beyond next season.
Although Guardiola is under contract until the end of the 2026–27 campaign, speculation has intensified about his long-term future, prompting reports that the club is quietly assessing replacement options.
In response to rumors linking him with the role, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, a former assistant to Guardiola at City, has firmly dismissed the claims, describing them as “pure speculation.”
Guardiola, who signed a contract extension in November 2024, was recently asked whether he plans to see out his deal. The 54-year-old acknowledged the recurring nature of the question but insisted he remains content at the club.
“I’ve been asked this for the last three or four years,” Guardiola said. “Sooner or later, everyone leaves. But I still have time left on my contract, and I’m very happy here.”
He added that his relationship with the club remains strong and that any future decision would be made collectively.
“This question comes every season and I’m comfortable with it. The club and I are connected, and whatever needs to happen will happen naturally,” he said.
Pressed further about his plans for next season, Guardiola reiterated that football is unpredictable.
“I’m here right now. Nobody knows what the future holds. Football changes quickly, whether you have ten years left on your contract or six months,” he added.
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Manchester City currently sit two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal and are set to host West Ham United on Saturday.
Since taking charge in 2016, Guardiola has established himself as one of the most successful managers in the club’s history, guiding City to multiple domestic and international honours, including six Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League in the 2022–23 season.
Addressing reports of behind-the-scenes discussions about his departure, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach was emphatic.
“There are no discussions end of the subject. I won’t be here forever, but right now, nothing is being discussed,” he said.
He noted that while clubs must always plan for the future, the issue of his exit is not currently on the agenda.
Meanwhile, Maresca who took over as Chelsea manager in June 2024 and is contracted until 2029, with an option for an extra year, played down suggestions of a return to Manchester City.
“It doesn’t affect me at all because it’s 100 percent speculation,” Maresca said. “My focus is entirely on Chelsea. I’m proud to be here, and there’s no time for that kind of talk.”
