Pep Guardiola: Man City boss expected to leave at end of season
Pep Guardiola expected to leave Manchester City at the end of the season after 10 years in charge; Pep says he will speak with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak about his future in next few days; the Spaniard has won 20 trophies during an unprecedented era of success at Man City
Tuesday 19 May 2026 23:09, UK
Pep Guardiola is going to leave Manchester City after their final Premier League game of the season on Sunday, sources have told Sky Sports News.
There has been no confirmation from City and sources at the club insist Guardiola remains their manager on a contract until 2027.
Speaking immediately after Man City's draw at Bournemouth on Tuesday, which handed Arsenal the Premier League title, Guardiola said: "The first person who has to talk is the chairman.
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"When we finish the season, we will talk and take a decision. I'm the happiest man on the planet to be at this club. It is extraordinary."
Since his appointment in February 2016, Guardiola has guided the club to a remarkable 20 trophies, including six Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy in 2023.
Sources have told Sky Sports News that preparations are under way at City for the outcome that Guardiola will leave - and Enzo Maresca is most likely to be his successor.
Maresca was Guardiola's assistant when City won the Champions League, has been out of work since departing Chelsea in January. Guardiola has previously called Maresca "one of the best managers in the world".
Pep to hold talks with City chairman
Expanding on his response over his future in the post-match press conference, Guardiola added: "Listen, with the club, always I talk, but not now.
"The first thing you have to understand is you should talk with my chairman (Khaldoon Al Mubarak) first, right? And after that, when I talk with my chairman, we'll decide."
When asked if the talks will come after their final match of the season on Sunday, Guardiola said: "No, no, we'll talk the next few days.
"Always we talk with my chairman. What are we going to do, what are we not going to do. But I think he [the chairman] deserves [to be the first one spoken to], right?"
On whether Sunday's match will be his last at City, he added: "Let me talk about my chairman! I know they [the fans] love me so much. I love them more. I know that it's the best place to be. I love that place [the Etihad]. I adore it.
"Let me talk about my club. Even though people say I talk to a thousand million people in person, I was incredibly, incredibly focused on my job. When we are in the competitions, I'm there. I was there. This is what I have to do."
Speaking to the BBC, Bernardo Silva said: "Well, I honestly don't know about it (exit rumours). That's Pep's decision, that's his announcement to make if he stays or if he goes. That's not on me."
Richards: Pep created a way to love the game
Assessing Guardiola's interview with Sky Sports at the end of the match on Tuesday, Sky Sports' Micah Richards said: "You could see in his demeanour he is leaving... the way he was answering the questions.
"If he wanted to stay, he would say: 'I'm staying'.
"It's a sad day for the Premier League and Man City because he's been an absolute great.
"He is the greatest manager of his generation without doubt and I say that because of the way he plays football. There are certain ways you can win a football match.
"Arteta and Arsenal have done it a little bit more defensively, but in terms of his 10-year tenure at Man City, whether it is full-backs inverted, false nines, playing John Stones in central midfield in the Champions League final - he has just created a way to love the game and for the game to be played in the right way."
How the Sky Sports pundits reacted to the Guardiola reports on Monday Night Football
Sky Sports' Gary Neville:
"I'm surprised that it's broken right now. Not just because it's during this match [Arsenal vs Burnley] but it's the night before a Man City game. Something like that is gamechanger news.
"I think of being in school and the news of Kenny Dalglish leaving Liverpool, or Sir Alex Ferguson leaving Man Utd and Jurgen Klopp leaving Liverpool recently.
"They're just such huge moments in football, and I don't see it's news Man City would let get out or would want out.
"If it is true, Man City will be extremely disappointed that has broken now and so will Pep Guardiola."
Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher:
"I don't suppose Man City or Pep Guardiola can do anything about the timing. They have to let the club know, the next guy coming in, we hear it's Maresca, he'd have to have information about this.
"He would have staff who he'd have to speak to. The closer it gets to the end of the season, there's more people who know. Eventually, it comes out.
"This wouldn't have happened overnight you imagine. It would've been the last few weeks, maybe couple of months. There's just too many people involved for it not to come out in the end."
