By Francis Onyach - Reporter
Kenya, 19 May 2026 - World football could be preparing for the end of one of the greatest managerial eras in modern history after multiple major reports claimed that Pep Guardiola has informed Manchester City of his decision to leave the club at the end of the season.
While Manchester City have not yet officially confirmed the news, widespread reports from England and international football outlets indicate that Guardiola has already communicated his decision internally, with a formal announcement expected after City’s final Premier League fixture against Aston Villa.
The development has sent shockwaves through football.
Guardiola has been at Manchester City since 2016 and has transformed the club into one of the most dominant football dynasties in modern European football. During his decade-long spell at the Etihad Stadium, the Spaniard has delivered unprecedented success, winning multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups, and the UEFA Champions League while redefining tactical football in England.
According to reports published by Reuters, CBS Sports, and several other major football platforms, Guardiola’s departure would come despite still having one year remaining on his contract, which officially runs until June 2027.
The timing of the reported decision is particularly dramatic because Manchester City are still involved in the Premier League title race.
City recently lifted the FA Cup after defeating Chelsea at Wembley, giving Guardiola his 20th major trophy with the club. They also remain mathematically capable of winning another league title depending on Arsenal’s final results and City’s own closing fixtures.
Reports from England suggest former Chelsea manager and Guardiola’s ex-assistant Enzo Maresca is the leading candidate to replace him. Multiple outlets claim that City have already begun preparing for succession plans behind the scenes, with Maresca believed to have reached an agreement in principle to take over.
The news has sparked enormous emotional reaction among Manchester City supporters.
For many fans, Guardiola is not just the greatest manager in the club’s history but the architect of City’s modern identity. Under his leadership, the club achieved historic milestones including:
- Six Premier League titles
- Multiple domestic trebles
- City’s first UEFA Champions League crown
- Record-breaking points totals
- A historic four consecutive Premier League titles during the peak of their dominance.
His impact extended far beyond trophies.
Guardiola changed how Manchester City played football, introducing a positional, possession-based style that influenced clubs across Europe. Many current elite coaches openly credit Guardiola’s tactical ideas for reshaping modern football philosophy.
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However, this season has also been one of the most challenging periods of Guardiola’s City career.
The club endured inconsistent form earlier in the campaign, struggled defensively at key moments, and faced growing questions about the future of several senior players. Reports also indicate that key backroom staff members are preparing to leave this summer, fueling speculation that a major transition period is approaching at the Etihad.
Interestingly, Guardiola himself publicly denied plans to leave just days ago.
Ahead of the FA Cup final, he insisted he would not walk away before the end of his contract and described his time at Manchester City as “fun,” dismissing suggestions that Wembley could be part of a farewell tour.
That contradiction has only intensified discussion surrounding the reports.
Across social media, reactions have ranged from heartbreak to disbelief. Manchester City fans on Reddit, X, and football forums described the possible departure as “the end of football’s greatest project” and “the biggest Premier League managerial exit since Sir Alex Ferguson.”
If confirmed officially, Guardiola would leave Manchester City as:
- The club’s most successful manager ever
- The coach with the highest win percentage in club history
- The man who permanently elevated City into Europe’s elite.
For City supporters, the reality is beginning to sink in.
An era built on dominance, trophies, tactical brilliance, and unforgettable football may now be approaching its final chapter.
And if the reports are true, Pep Guardiola’s final game as Manchester City manager is now just days away.