Manchester City eyes post‑Guardiola era as chairman vows continued success

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said the club’s recent dominance will not end with Pep Guardiola’s departure. He emphasized that the structures built over the past decade – including chief executive Ferran Soriano, director of football Hugo Viana and the broader leadership team – provide a solid platform for future success. Al Mubarak indicated that the club is close to appointing Italian coach Enzo Maresca, who previously worked as Guardiola’s assistant and within the City academy, as the next manager.

Al Mubarak also described his personal relationship with Guardiola, stating he has acted as the coach’s “psychiatrist” and helped him stay on through many moments when Guardiola considered quitting. He noted that Guardiola threatened to leave “countless times” over his ten‑year tenure, but the chairman’s support kept him at the club. The chairman remains confident that the incoming manager will continue the winning mentality while the club also plans to strengthen the squad in the upcoming transfer window.