Man City Must Plan for Guardiola’s Succession, Club Says

Manchester City are actively planning for a future beyond Pep Guardiola, signaling a formal approach to succession even as the manager remains committed for now. The club has begun identifying potential successors while questions linger over Guardiola's next move.

Guardiola's plan for succession

Guardiola's contract runs through the 2026-27 season. He says he has 18 months left and remains excited about the team’s development, adding that football changes quickly and plans will be made when the time comes. City are currently two points behind league leaders Arsenal and host West Ham on Saturday at 15:00 GMT.

Guardiola's stance on leaving

He stressed there have been no talks about leaving before the deal ends and that while nobody stays forever, the club must be prepared for all possibilities. The owners are not expected to comment on the issue publicly, and Guardiola says decisions will be made when appropriate.

Links to Maresca and his response

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, who previously worked as Guardiola's assistant at City, dismissed reports of a potential move to Manchester City as 100% speculation. He noted he has a contract with Chelsea until 2029 with an option to extend and said his focus remains firmly on Chelsea for now.

Ahead of Chelsea's game against Newcastle, Maresca underlined the ongoing speculation and said it does not affect him. He also addressed a tense period during press conferences following a recent win and indicated that his focus is on Chelsea's success and the supporters' continued backing.

City's succession planning in focus

City's sporting director Hugo Viana, who joined earlier this year, is leading the process to assemble a shortlist of potential successors. While at least two names are believed to be under consideration, the club has not confirmed any specific candidates. A final decision on Guardiola's future is not expected until late in the season.

Chelsea context and Maresca's position

The comments from Maresca follow a difficult 48-hour period after a home win over Everton, with talk of a rift between the manager and Behdad Eghbali, Paul Winstanley, and Laurence Stewart. Maresca insisted he will stay at Chelsea next season and urged fans to continue backing the team. Chelsea sit fourth in the Premier League and are in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, with key fixtures approaching.

Expert analysis

Expert comment: City are formalizing a long-term leadership plan, maintaining both stability and ambition. Maresca's comments illustrate how off-pitch tensions can complicate a manager’s position if not handled carefully.

Short summary

Manchester City are proactively planning for life after Guardiola, while Enzo Maresca dismisses links to a move as speculation. The clubs face different dynamics: City focuses on succession, Chelsea navigates internal tensions. The coming months will reveal how these factors influence performance on the field.

Key insight: Manchester City's forward-looking succession planning mirrors a club-wide strategy for long-term stability, even as Chelsea contends with internal tensions surrounding its manager. BBC Sport

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