Truth about Man City, Pep Guardiola’s exit and ‘worries’ he could go this summer

Manchester City are confident that the club will be successful after Pep Guardiola leaves – because it won trophies before he arrived

It has been said and written that Manchester City are dreading life after Pep Guardiola. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Chairman Khaldoon-Al-Mubarak would like Guardiola to manage the team for another decade. And who can blame him, considering the astonishing success the Spaniard has overseen? But following countless conversations with Guardiola, it has been made clear to him that the serial winner will be seeking new challenges elsewhere in the not too distant future.

Guardiola has 18 months remaining on his current deal – and has no intention of extending it. It’s understood Guardiola will make a decision in the summer about whether to remain at the Etihad until June 2027. But one thing is certain. The beginning of the end has started.

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher pays Pep Guardiola ultimate compliment amid Man City boss’s ‘last dance’READ MORE: EFL’s Marc Guehi decision made after Pep Guardiola moans over Man City vs Arsenal ‘logic’

And when the grand finale comes, Al-Mubarak will be well prepared to deal with what happens next.

Club sources insist Al-Mubarak is comfortable with both the present and the future. That he is keen to draw on the confidence of knowing the club was successful before Guardiola came along.

That long-term strategies and infrastructures were all in place pre-Guardiola. He just added significant polish to a jewel which had already been shining. The signings City have made in the last 12 months mean the foundations are put in place for whoever replaces Guardiola.

One issue Khaldoon has been keen to address is maintaining his club learns from how rival ones have transitioned in the past, following the departures of iconic managers. He only has to look across town to discover how not to do it.

OPINION

John Cross

Manchester United have not come close to winning the Premier League or Champions League titles since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. Countless managers have come and gone. United lost their identity and became mired in an obsession with living in the past. An attitude which damaged the future.

Arsenal, to a lesser extent, have suffered a similar fate. Since Arsene Wenger stood down in 2018, the former serial winners have landed just one piece of silverware.

Khaldoon wants to prove smart enough to avoid falling into the trap of believing greatness can be replicated by someone else. That succession plans are all well and good, but history proves special periods under managers like Fergie and Guardiola remain unique to those individuals who achieve them.

No-one should expect Guardiola’s successor to win a Treble, or four league titles on the spin. Football doesn’t work like that.

Khaldoon will seek Guardiola’s opinion on who should be chosen to step into his shoes. The likes of Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso and Vincent Kompany will all be in the conversation. It will be a tumultuous call. But one Etihad rulers will embrace, instead of being afraid of making.

In the meantime, Guardiola continues to act like someone preparing for the next chapter of his life. He has been more animated and outspoken on controversial topics.

And he could even find himself in the remarkable scenario of riding into the sunset, before his club learns its fate over the 115 allegations of breaking Premier League spending rules.

If this happens, Guardiola might never find himself having to face the music, should City be found guilty. That millstone could weigh heavy on the next manager.

But whatever happens, the chances are Khaldoon and his Abu Dhabi ownership group will have a plan in place to deal with it.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us, and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

£49

£35

Sky

Get the deal here

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.