Club have identified Maresca as Guardiola’s replacement and the Italian has agreed in principle to a three-year contract
Manchester City have confirmed that Pep Guardiola will leave the club at the end of the season after a decade in charge, bringing to a close one of the most successful managerial spells in English football.
Guardiola will take charge of his final match against Aston Villa on Sunday before stepping away despite having a year remaining on his contract. City confirmed he will remain within the organisation as a global ambassador for City Football Group, advising clubs across its network and working on specific projects.
The club also announced plans to rename the expanded North Stand at the Etihad Stadium as the Pep Guardiola Stand and commission a statue in his honour.
The 55-year-old informed his players of the decision earlier this week, ending a tenure that delivered 17 major trophies, including six Premier League titles, the Champions League, three FA Cups, five Carabao Cups, and the treble in 2023.
City’s hopes of another league title ended on Tuesday after a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth confirmed Arsenal as champions.
At the same time, City have identified Maresca as Guardiola’s replacement and the Italian has agreed in principle to a three-year contract. Maresca previously worked under Guardiola at City during the treble-winning 2022-23 season and has been out of management since leaving Chelsea in January.
Guardiola’s departure marks the end of an era at the Etihad after a period when he raised City’s standing in English football and embellished his legacy.
His teams claimed a domestic treble in 2019 and recorded a century of Premier League points in 2018, before winning the treble in 2023.
City chair Khaldoon al-Mubarak said: “There have been points along the way when he could have stopped, and it would have been enough. Somehow, Pep always found new energy and pushed on, finding different and innovative ways to continue winning and delivering success.”
Guardiola said: “Don’t ask me the reasons I’m leaving. There is no reason, but deep inside I know it’s my time. Nothing is eternal. If it was, I would be here. Eternal will be the feeling, the people, the memories, the love I have for my Manchester City.”
