Reports circulating in football media have suggested that Manchester City could be considering a future managerial transition that would see Pep Guardiola eventually replaced by Enzo Maresca.
Guardiola is expected to leave the club following this Sunday’s home game against Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium, their final game of the season.
Former Chelsea head coach Maresca has been identified as the leading contender to replace the legendary Spaniard for the 2026-27 season.
With City preparing for Guardiola’s summer exit for more than six months, talks with Maresca are at an advanced stage.
The 46-year-old wants the job and is expected to be confirmed as Guardiola’s successor in due course.
The Italian manager, who won the Club World Cup and the Conference League and secured Champions League qualification during his only full season at Stamford Bridge, previously worked at City.
The speculation appears to stem from ongoing discussions about long-term succession planning at top European clubs. Pep Guardiola, who has been in charge of Manchester City since 2016, has established one of the most dominant eras in English football history, winning multiple league titles and major domestic and European trophies.
Despite his continued success, questions about future transitions naturally arise as managers of elite clubs rarely remain indefinitely in the same role. This has led to periodic media reports linking potential successors to the Manchester City job.
Enzo Maresca, currently gaining recognition for his tactical approach and development-focused coaching style, has been mentioned in some reports as a possible candidate for top managerial positions in the future.
His previous association with Manchester City’s coaching setup has further fueled speculation about a potential return in a senior role.
