Manchester City begin planning for life after Pep Guardiola

February 17, 2026 Oliver Obel

Manchester City may not need a new manager anytime soon, but early signs suggest the club has already considered what the future could look like without Pep Guardiola.

According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Enzo Maresca is currently regarded as the leading candidate to succeed Guardiola if and when the Catalan coach steps away from the Etihad Stadium.

Romano addressed recent speculation linking Maresca with Tottenham Hotspur, who are searching for managerial stability after parting ways with Thomas Frank and placing Igor Tudor in interim charge. Posting on social media, Romano wrote:

"No talks between Tottenham and Enzo Maresca so far despite recent links.

Understand Maresca remains the clear leading candidate to be next Manchester City head coach…when/if Pep Guardiola decides to leave."

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2022601709415981202

Long-term planning at City

Guardiola, 55, remains under contract through the 2026/27 season. While there is no immediate indication that he intends to depart, City’s hierarchy has historically planned well in advance when it comes to leadership transitions.

Since arriving in Manchester in 2016 to replace Manuel Pellegrini, Guardiola has overseen one of the most dominant periods in English football history. Across 574 matches in all competitions, he has recorded 404 wins, 83 draws and 87 defeats a win rate of 70.38 percent.

The trophy haul speaks for itself. Six Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph headline a sustained era of domestic and European success that reshaped the club’s global standing.

Why Maresca fits the profile

Maresca’s connection to City runs deeper than recent speculation. Before taking managerial roles at Leicester City and later Chelsea, the 46-year-old worked on Guardiola’s coaching staff, stepping into the assistant role previously held by Juanma Lillo.

That familiarity with City’s tactical framework and internal culture may be significant. The club has often prioritized continuity in playing philosophy, recruitment strategy and dressing-room structure.

Maresca’s recent record as a head coach is mixed but noteworthy. During his time at Chelsea, he managed 92 matches, winning 55, drawing 16 and losing 21 a 59.78 percent win rate. He also guided the club to the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup titles before being dismissed amid reports of strained relations with senior club figures.

While his departure from Chelsea raised questions, it did not diminish his reputation among admirers of his tactical approach one heavily influenced by Guardiola’s positional play principles.

Read also: Arteta hints at tactical shift

Succession still hypothetical

For now, Guardiola remains firmly in charge, and there is no public indication that an exit is imminent. Still, elite clubs rarely wait for uncertainty to become urgency. Romano’s reporting suggests that if the moment does arrive, City may already know the direction they intend to take.

Whether Maresca ultimately returns to Manchester in a leading role will depend on timing, results and Guardiola’s own plans. But his name appears to be firmly in the conversation.

Sources: Fabrizio Romano (social media), Manchester City match records, Chelsea match records