Man City prepare for Guardiola exit and could turn to Maresca
Guardiola signed an initial three-year contract with City in February 2016 to take over from Manuel Pellegrini for the start of the 2016-17 season. Though he finished that campaign without a trophy for the first time in his career - and also went trophyless last season - his City side have otherwise largely dominated English football during his reign. City are the only team to reach 100 points in a Premier League season, doing so in 2017-18, when they also set the record for the most goals scored in a campaign, with 106.
In 2022-23, City became only the second English team in history, after rivals Manchester United in 1998-99, to complete the Treble - winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the same season. Guardiola's City later became the first team to win the English league title four seasons in a row with their triumph in the 2023-24 campaign. The former Spain international then signed a two-year contract extension in November 2024, until the end of the 2026-27 season.
Semenyo magic earns Manchester City FA Cup final win over Chelsea Guardiola joined City after three seasons at Bayern Munich, where he won three consecutive Bundesliga titles and two German Cups. He started his managerial career at Barcelona in 2008, forming one of the best club sides ever - winning three straight La Liga titles, two Champions Leagues and two Copa del Reys before taking a year's sabbatical following the 2011-12 season. Defensive midfielder Guardiola spent most of his playing career at Barcelona, winning six La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys and the 1991-92 European Cup.
He captained Spain to gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and subsequently made 47 appearances for the senior national side. He retired from professional football in 2006. Should his departure be confirmed, Guardiola will follow several of his key signings during his era at City in exiting the club.
Captain and Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva, as well as England defender John Stones, recently confirmed they will both leave when their contracts expire this summer. Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, who now plays for Napoli, left Etihad Stadium when his contract expired last summer, while Brazil goalkeeper Ederson was sold to Turkish side Fenerbahce in September. Former England right-back Kyle Walker joined Burnley in July, having spent the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan.