Fakayejo Paul
Manchester City have officially adopted a “wait and see” policy regarding Pep Guardiola, giving the legendary manager total control over his future at the Etihad Stadium.
As of Thursday, April 2, 2026, the club hierarchy has formally approached Guardiola to clarify his plans.
While he is under contract until June 2027, there is growing speculation that he could bring his 10-year tenure to an end this summer.
The Internal Choice: Enzo Maresca
If and when the Guardiola era concludes, Manchester City have reportedly identified Enzo Maresca as their “ideal” replacement.
Despite his departure from Chelsea earlier this year, the Italian remains highly respected by the City board for several key reasons:
- Philosophy: As a former assistant to Guardiola, Maresca is seen as the perfect “continuity” candidate to maintain City’s tactical identity.
- Availability: Having been out of work since January, Maresca is immediately available should Guardiola decide to step down in May.
- Rejection of Other Clubs: Recent reports suggest Maresca was intentionally not in the running for the recently filled Tottenham or Manchester United vacancies, potentially keeping himself free for the Etihad job.
What About Vincent Kompany?
While Vincent Kompany is naturally linked due to his legendary status at the club, sources suggest the Bayern Munich boss is currently lower on the priority list than Maresca.
The City executive team reportedly believes Maresca’s specific experience within the “City Football Group” system gives him the edge over the former captain.
The Timeline
Guardiola is expected to remain silent on his final decision until the end of May, once the Premier League title race and FA Cup campaign are concluded.
- The Status Quo: If Guardiola says nothing, he will automatically remain in charge for the 2026–27 season.
- The Pivot: Should he choose to leave, the club is ready to move “rapidly” to secure Maresca to avoid a prolonged period of uncertainty.
For now, the focus remains on the pitch as City trail Arsenal in the Premier League and prepare for a massive FA Cup quarter-final clash against Liverpool this Saturday.