Pep Guardiola (foto: Getty Images)
Fabrizio Romano reports Manchester City internally views Enzo Maresca as the leading option to replace Pep Guardiola, as the club prepares for life after its most successful managerial era.
Pep Guardiola is approaching the final phase of his historic cycle at Manchester City, and the club is already preparing the succession plan.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the main candidate to take over the bench once Guardiola leaves is Enzo Maresca.
The Italian coach is highly rated inside the club structure and is considered the natural continuation of the football identity built over the past decade.
Although Guardiola’s departure has not yet been officially confirmed, internal planning has begun. City wants continuity rather than revolution, especially in playing style and training methodology.
Maresca has a major advantage because he already worked within the City Football Group system and understands the positional play principles introduced by Guardiola.
The club leadership believes appointing an external coach would risk breaking tactical stability. For that reason, profiles familiar with the structure were prioritised from the start.
Romano also clarified speculation linking Maresca with Tottenham after Thomas Frank's exit. No negotiations ever took place, strengthening expectations that he is reserved for the City project.
Guardiola transformed Manchester City into one of the most dominant teams in modern football, winning multiple league titles and achieving historic European success. His influence defined recruitment, academy development, and even the club’s global identity.
Replacing him will therefore shape the next decade.
The board hopes a coach trained inside the same football philosophy will preserve the tactical framework while gradually building his own authority in the dressing room.
Supporters expect an emotional farewell whenever Guardiola officially steps down, but there is also optimism that the transition could be smoother than previous post-dynasty rebuilds seen at major clubs.
If the plan materialises, Maresca would inherit a ready-made system rather than rebuild from zero, making this one of the most carefully prepared managerial successions in modern football.