As speculation continues to swirl around the future of Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City have already identified their primary target should the legendary manager decide to walk away.
Guardiola Exit Plan Takes Shape as City Line Up Maresca for Hotseat
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, former Chelsea and Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca currently stands as the “clear leading candidate” to take the reins.
Guardiola’s long-term commitment to the club has come under renewed scrutiny in recent weeks.
While the 55-year-old remains under contract until the summer of 2027, sources suggest the 2025/26 campaign could mark the end of his historic tenure.
Guardiola has sent mixed signals regarding his future, sometimes reaffirming his dedication to the project, while at other times acknowledging the mental exhaustion that comes with a decade at the pinnacle of English football.
With the Catalan previously hinting that he may need a break from management when he leaves City, the club’s hierarchy are now actively preparing for a potential transition.
Romano reports that despite the presence of other high-profile names on the radar—such as Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso and Como’s Cesc Fà bregas—Maresca possesses a decisive advantage.
The Italian coach boasts deep-rooted ties to the Etihad, having spent time developing his craft within City’s academy structure before working closely with Guardiola in the first-team environment.
This intimate understanding of the club’s tactical framework and philosophy makes him a natural continuity candidate.
After parting ways with Chelsea, Maresca is currently taking time to assess his next move. His familiarity with the club’s methodology and culture gives him a significant edge over other contenders.
Romano insists that while City admires alternative profiles, Maresca remains the frontrunner to preserve the principles that have underpinned the club’s recent domestic and European dominance.
For now, no vacancy officially exists. However, with Guardiola’s future unresolved, the groundwork for an era beyond the legendary Catalan is clearly already in motion.
