Is He Truly Leaving? ‎Pep Guardiola Exit Rumors Grow as Manchester City Prepare for Possible Post-2026 Era

‎Pep Guardiola’s long-term future at Manchester City has become a major talking point this season as speculation continues to grow that the 55-year-old could be planning to bring his time at the Etihad Stadium to a close. Although the City boss remains tied to the Premier League club until the summer of 2027, many believe he could step down at the conclusion of the 2025–26 campaign.

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Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City future remains uncertain despite his 2027 contract, with speculation growing about a possible 2026 exit and potential replacements already being discussed.

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‎Uncertainty still surrounds Guardiola’s next move. According to ESPN, senior Manchester City officials insist they are unaware of the manager’s long-term plans. Individuals connected to the agency working alongside Guardiola’s representatives say any details about his future are extremely confidential. Much of the speculation is reportedly fueled by conversations among rival club executives, agents, and players. Even so, rumors of a possible summer departure continue to circulate, and it would no longer be shocking if this turns out to be his final season leading the club.

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‎During his time at Manchester City, Guardiola has achieved remarkable success. He has secured six Premier League titles, lifted the FA Cup, won the Carabao Cup twice, and captured the Champions League trophy. Despite his achievements, reports from the Mirror suggest City leadership is not fearful about the possibility of his departure. A decision regarding his future is expected later this season, and the club believes it has built a strong enough structure to remain successful after his eventual exit.

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‎Chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak is expected to consult Guardiola when identifying possible successors. City want to avoid the mistakes seen at other major clubs following legendary managerial exits. Manchester United struggled after Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, while Arsenal experienced a decline in trophy success following Arsene Wenger’s departure.

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‎Manchester City are believed to have already created a shortlist of three potential replacements: Enzo Maresca, Xabi Alonso, and Cesc Fabregas. Maresca previously confirmed he spoke with City during his time managing Chelsea, which played a role in his eventual departure from Stamford Bridge earlier this year.

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‎Guardiola has repeatedly been questioned about his future throughout the season. In January, he responded by emphasizing his contract status, stating he has repeated many times that he remains under contract after spending 10 years at the club, though he acknowledged he will leave one day. When asked again on Friday, he maintained the same stance, explaining that he still has one year left on his deal and that his answer remains unchanged from previous months.

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‎The Spaniard has also spoken about his plans after leaving Manchester City. He revealed that he intends to step away from football temporarily once his time at the club ends. Speaking to ESPN Brasil, he said he wants people to remember him however they choose. He confirmed he plans to stop after his City contract, though he is unsure whether that means retirement or simply a break. He also reflected on how fans of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City enjoyed watching his teams play. Guardiola added that people should not live worrying about how they will be remembered, noting that in coaching careers there are good and bad periods, and the goal is to ensure the good moments last longer. He emphasized that public opinion is less important than the reality that footballers and coaches often live very privileged lives, while also acknowledging uncertainty about future coaching challenges.

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‎On the pitch, Manchester City have experienced an inconsistent season but still have silverware opportunities ahead. They reached the Carabao Cup final after defeating Newcastle during the week, setting up a Wembley showdown against Arsenal. Before that final, City will attempt to revive their Premier League title push when they travel to Anfield on Sunday to face Liverpool.