Manchester City quietly prepare for Guardiola successer

December 19, 2025 Oliver Obel

Manchester City’s success under Pep Guardiola has been built on meticulous planning, and that long-range thinking now appears to include the question of who eventually follows him in the dugout.

Guardiola remains under contract until the summer of 2027 after signing a two-year extension in December 2024. At the time, he signaled that the agreement would likely be his final one before stepping away from coaching, creating long-term uncertainty even as City continue to compete at the top level.

Growing belief Guardiola’s exit could come sooner

That uncertainty may be sharpening. Writing in The Athletic, David Ornstein reported that several well-connected figures outside the club believe there is increasing expectation Guardiola could be nearing the end of his time at the Etihad sooner than previously assumed.

Ornstein noted that no decision has been taken and Guardiola’s position has not formally changed. However, City are said to be preparing internal contingency plans should circumstances shift unexpectedly.

Maresca’s name reflects a stylistic preference

Among the names to surface during those early discussions is Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca not as a designated successor, but as an example of the managerial profile City admire.

Maresca’s connection to the club is well established. He coached City’s under-21 side during the 2020–21 season and later worked directly under Guardiola as a first-team assistant in 2022. His familiarity with the club’s playing principles is understood to be a key reason he remains of interest, according to The Athletic’s reporting.

A rapid rise through the managerial ranks

Since leaving Manchester, Maresca has moved quickly through the managerial ranks. He guided Leicester City back to the Premier League as Championship winners before being appointed Chelsea manager in the summer of 2024.

In his first season at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea won the Conference League UEFA’s third-tier European competition as well as the Club World Cup. Those results, combined with his emphasis on possession football and youth development, have earned him recognition across the league.

Recent remarks add intrigue at Chelsea

Still, Maresca’s situation at Chelsea has drawn attention in recent days following remarks made after a 2-0 Premier League victory over Everton.

“Worst 48 hours since I joined the club [before the match], because people didn't support me and the team,” he said after the game.

Asked whether he was referring to internal criticism, Maresca clarified: “In general, in general. I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans.”

He later sought to close the issue, telling journalist Simon Johnson: “I can speak Italian, my language, Spanish very well, French, English, I think it was clear with what I said.

“It's done, it's finished. It was after the game, I said what I said, and it's done. It's finished. Now, Cardiff. We need to move forward.”

Speculation only, but planning continues

Chelsea have given no indication that Maresca’s position is under threat, and any move by City remains speculative at this stage. For now, Guardiola remains firmly in charge.

But the mere discussion of potential successors highlights how City are thinking beyond the present even as one of the most successful managerial tenures in modern football continues.

Sources: The Athletic