Manchester City are preparing for life after Pep Guardiola, with Enzo Maresca emerging as the leading candidate to replace the legendary Spaniard ahead of the 2026-27 season.
As reported by BBC Sport, Guardiola is expected to leave City following Sunday’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium, bringing an end to a historic era at the club.
City have reportedly been planning for Guardiola’s departure for more than six months, and discussions with Maresca are already at an advanced stage. The Italian coach is understood to be keen on the role and is expected to be confirmed as Guardiola’s successor in due course.
Maresca is no stranger to Manchester City’s football philosophy. The 46-year-old previously served as Guardiola’s assistant during the club’s treble-winning 2022-23 campaign and also held a key coaching role within City’s academy setup.
Since leaving City in 2023, Maresca has rapidly built his managerial reputation. He guided Leicester City back to the Premier League in his only season at the club before taking charge of Chelsea, where he won the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup while securing Champions League qualification.
Guardiola himself has repeatedly praised Maresca’s coaching ability.
“One of the best managers in the world, Enzo Maresca,” Guardiola previously said.
“The job he has done at Chelsea does not get enough credit. Winning the Club World Cup, Conference League, qualification for the Champions League in such a tough league with a young team is exceptional.”
Replacing Guardiola will be one of the toughest tasks in modern football.
The Spaniard transformed Manchester City into a global powerhouse during his decade-long reign, winning 20 trophies, including four consecutive Premier League titles, a historic treble, and multiple domestic doubles.
While Maresca may not possess Guardiola’s elite-level pedigree from Barcelona and Bayern Munich, City’s hierarchy believe his understanding of the club’s structure, tactical identity, and possession-based style makes him the ideal candidate for continuity.
Much like Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, another Guardiola protégé, Maresca has followed the pathway from assistant coach to leading manager.
Maresca’s footballing philosophy closely mirrors Guardiola’s approach.
During his time at Chelsea, he implemented a possession-heavy system focused on patient build-up play, usually deploying a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation designed to dominate control of matches.
His coaching methods, tactical structure, and familiarity with City’s internal culture are seen as major advantages as the club enters the post-Guardiola era.
However, questions remain over whether Maresca can handle the enormous pressure that comes with succeeding arguably the greatest manager in Manchester City’s history.
His spell at Chelsea also saw tensions emerge with the club’s hierarchy over transfers and long-term planning, eventually leading to fractures behind the scenes despite his on-field success.
Although Maresca’s appointment would represent a significant gamble compared to Guardiola’s proven track record, City’s ownership are believed to have conducted extensive due diligence before moving forward.
The Italian would arrive with Guardiola’s full backing and the trust of a hierarchy that already knows his personality, coaching style, and ability to work within the club’s structure.
For Manchester City supporters, no successor will ever truly replace Guardiola. But if Maresca is the man chosen to lead the next chapter, he will be tasked with maintaining the standards set during the most successful period in the club’s history.
