Pep Guardiola exits Manchester City as club prepares major squad overhaul

Pep Guardiola announced on 22 May 2026 that he will leave Manchester City at the end of the 2025/26 season, invoking an exit clause a year before his contract ends. His decade in charge delivered 20 major trophies, including the club’s first Champions League title, and he will move into a Global Ambassador role with City Football Group. Enzo Maresca has been named as his successor.

Following Guardiola’s departure, the club expects a significant turnover of players. The Athletic reports that seven out of the squad are likely to leave this summer: Nico González, Rico Lewis, Tijjani Reijnders, Omar Marmoush, Mateo Kovacic, James Trafford and Nathan Aké. Additional departures include veteran Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Ederson, while a contract extension is under negotiation with Josko Gvardiol.

The changes mark a new phase for Manchester City as it rebuilds after a historic ten‑year era.