What Man City are doing tells me this could be Pep Guardiola’s final season

Pep Guardiola has been a Premier League great – winning would be the only fitting farewell to his Manchester City career, where we’re far closer to the end than the beginning

Pep Guardiola is driven by glory, trophies and legacy. In my eyes, the Manchester City manager is the greatest of the Premier League era.

His success, his style of football and remarkable haul of silverware is the reason why he deserves to edge out the other greats like Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger and even Sir Alex Ferguson. And you cannot be as good and as successful as Guardiola without having an ego which demands you write your name into the history books and set records which will never be broken.

Four titles in a row, the Champions League, complete dominance of English football and groundbreaking tactics and style of football. That is Guardiola’s incredible legacy.

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And it is that strive for greatness and to go out in a blaze of glory which makes me think that this might just be Guardiola’s last season at the Etihad.

Let’s be clear: it’s a theory. It’s opinion. Not a fact. But there are a few things that make me think Guardiola is preparing to exit.

If you are going to leave, surely you want to go out in style. Going out as runners-up is no exit plan. And that is why I think City are hell bent on winning the title this season.

It is also why Guardiola did the most un-Guardiola thing when he signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint Germain for £26m. No-one can dispute what a good ‘keeper he is. But City had already signed James Trafford to be their No.1 and as a keeper who could play out from the back.

Then came a realisation that Donnarumma is in a different class, was available and City just went for it even though arguably his weakest point is playing out from the back. In fairness, Donnarumma has been outstanding.

But he’s just not a typical Guardiola keeper. Let’s not forget, Guardiola, when he first came in, ruthlessly discarded Joe Hart in favour of Claudio Bravo because that is how strongly he believes in a certain style of keeper.

City have always spent big in the transfer market. But not as big as some of their rivals by any means. However, they have bought – and largely bought well – in the last year. They spent over £300m in 2025. In fairness, they were able to do so because actually they had not broken the bank in previous windows. And some deals have been super smart like Rayan Cherki for £30m.

But this window has already seen them pay £64m for Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth who is an outstanding acquisition. Premier League ready, great character, super player.

And they are very much in the market for Marc Guehi.

They are pushing hard. It may need £40m to land a player who is out of contract in the summer. But they want him. It is a deal which makes little financial sense but would land them a brilliant player for the here and now.

Guehi can shore up their defence and help win City the title. If they do it this year and edge out Arsenal again it would be an incredible achievement. And one which Guardiola could savour and go out with on a high. What a way to go and sign off.

And to do that, City are giving it everything.

Guardiola’s contract expires in 2027 but few managers go until the end of their deal. This summer could be perfect timing. If I was a betting man, I would say Enzo Maresca would be next. He is also a free agent. City like him. He has worked there before. The hierarchy know him and his agent.

He certainly does not have Guardiola’s charisma or experience. But he has Guardiola’s respect. He is a brilliant coach.

Mind you, following Guardiola would be mission impossible for any manager. Because he is an all-time great. The best of the modern era. And he will be remembered as such by many whether he goes out on a high or not.

But every great wants to sign off in glory with a trophy.

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