Guardiola: City Must Prepare for a Successor as Plans Begin
Pep Guardiola says Manchester City must be ready to plan for life after him, amid ongoing talk of a successor; Enzo Maresca dismisses links to City as 100% speculation while focusing on Chelsea.
Guardiola and City plan for the future Manchester City have begun laying the groundwork for life after Pep Guardiola, with internal discussions about a long-term successor now underway. Guardiola's new deal, signed in November 2024, keeps him at the club through the 2026-27 season, but the question of when he leaves remains open.
City's search for potential successors
People inside the club say a shortlist of possible next managers is being prepared, with decisions expected later this season rather than immediately. The aim is to have a clear plan ready should Guardiola move on at the end of his contract.
Maresca denies Manchester City links
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea's head coach and former Guardiola assistant, dismissed suggestions he could replace Guardiola as mere speculation. He stressed his focus remains on Chelsea, where his contract runs to 2029 with an option to extend, and he pointed to ongoing rumors as unfounded noise.
Guardiola's stance on the future
Guardiola has repeatedly stated he will not stay in football forever and that there is no timetable for departure. He also noted that even with an 18-month horizon left on his current deal, plans can shift rapidly and the club must be prepared for various outcomes.
City in the league context
City sit two points behind leaders Arsenal and prepare to host West Ham United on Saturday with a 3:00 pm kickoff local time. The result could influence the timing and scope of any succession planning.
Chelsea context: Maresca's situation and team news
Maresca, who took charge of Chelsea in June 2024, said publicly that City links are speculative while confirming his commitment to Chelsea. He also noted some positive injury news: forwards Liam Delap (shoulder) and Estevao Willian (muscle) could return earlier than expected ahead of their December 27 match against Aston Villa.
Expert comment
Expert comment: City are moving their succession planning into sharper focus with potential candidates assessed by the club's leadership, says Sami Mokbel. He adds that the final call will depend on Guardiola's own decision and the team's readiness for a change.
Summary
Summary: Guardiola's future remains open as he enters the latter stage of his current contract. City are quietly building a list of possible successors, led by the club's sporting director, while Maresca says the Manchester link is speculation. Chelsea navigate internal tensions amid questions about the manager's future and injuries affecting squad depth.
Key insight: Manchester City are proactively preparing for life after Guardiola, even as rumors about a future successor persist. BBC Sport
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