It’s Anticipated That Pep Guardiola Will Depart Manchester City In 2025.
Manchester City executives have reportedly come to terms with the likelihood of head coach Pep Guardiola departing when his contract expires next summer. Guardiola, renowned as one of the world’s top coaches after successful spells with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, assumed the helm at the Etihad in the summer of 2016.
Despite a somewhat lackluster debut season in English football, Guardiola has since orchestrated Manchester City’s transformation into a dominant force, conquering the Premier League, Europe, and the world stage.
Under Guardiola’s guidance, City made history by securing four consecutive Premier League titles, as well as claiming their first Champions League and Club World Cup trophies.
While City added another Premier League title to their accolades this season, their Champions League campaign concluded in the quarter-finals against Real Madrid, followed by a disappointing defeat to bitter rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final over the weekend.
Despite Manchester City’s stance, Guardiola is expected to leave, as he has indicated his intention to continue in his role for the 2024-25 campaign. However, with his contract expiring in just over 12 months, speculation about a potential exit has intensified.
The 53-year-old has kept his future plans guarded, but according to the Daily Mail, City anticipates his departure when his current contract ends. Although the club is keen to extend Guardiola’s stay and is giving him time to decide, there is a consensus that he will not sign a new deal.
While there has been no official communication from Guardiola regarding his next career move, discussions within the club have reportedly revolved around the possibility of him leaving next year.
Guardiola has previously expressed his desire to manage a national team before retiring from coaching. A return to Barcelona, where Xavi was recently sacked, has been mentioned, but it seems unlikely.
As speculation about Guardiola’s future swirls, attention turns to who could succeed him at Manchester City.
Following in Guardiola’s footsteps presents an immense challenge for any head coach, regardless of their credentials. However, Manchester City has reportedly begun outlining potential candidates as they prepare contingency plans for next summer.
Michel, the manager of Manchester City’s affiliate club Girona, has unexpectedly secured qualification for next year’s Champions League and is believed to be high on the wishlist. Another contender is Germany’s Julian Nagelsmann, although he recently committed to a new national team contract until 2026.
Nagelsmann’s reluctance to take the Liverpool job, reportedly due to not wanting to directly succeed Jurgen Klopp, suggests he may have similar reservations about succeeding Guardiola at Manchester City.
Roberto De Zerbi, whom Guardiola strongly supports, is available after departing Brighton & Hove Albion. It remains uncertain if Xabi Alonso will continue at Bayer Leverkusen beyond the 2024-25 season.
There have been suggestions of a potential return to the Etihad for Guardiola’s former assistant and current Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, who is also out of contract in 2025. However, Arteta is expected to engage in talks for a new deal with Arsenal soon.
