Pep Guardiola is set to hold crucial talks with Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak before making a final decision on whether to step down as Manchester City manager this summer, marking what could be the end of a defining Premier League era.
The announcement comes after City’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, a result that confirmed Arsenal as 2025/26 Premier League champions, ending City’s title defence and effectively closing the curtain on another dominant campaign.
With one game left in the season and no silverware left to fight for, attention has now shifted firmly to Guardiola’s future at the Etihad Stadium.
Speaking after the Bournemouth draw, Guardiola confirmed that no decision has been made yet and that discussions with club leadership will take place first.
“The first person I have to talk to is my chairman,” Guardiola said.
The Manchester City boss also stressed that his focus throughout the season has remained on performance and competition rather than long-term planning.
Behind the scenes, however, reports suggest City officials are preparing for the possibility that Guardiola could activate a break clause in his contract and leave before its 2027 expiry.
If that happens, it would bring an end to a decade-long spell at Manchester City that has transformed the club into a modern football powerhouse.
Since arriving at the Etihad, Guardiola has delivered one of the most successful managerial reigns in Premier League history:
- 6 Premier League titles
- 20 total trophies
- Multiple domestic trebles
- A sustained period of tactical dominance in English football
His City side has set new standards for possession-based football, consistency, and squad depth, shaping the modern identity of the club.
But after Arsenal’s rise to Premier League champions in 2025/26, City’s grip on the league has finally been broken, signalling a potential shift in English football’s balance of power.
City’s failure to retain the title this season was sealed when Arsenal’s consistency over the campaign proved too strong to catch.
Guardiola, ever respectful in defeat, congratulated Mikel Arteta and his former assistant’s Arsenal side after the title was confirmed, acknowledging their achievement after years of near misses.
The result adds another layer to speculation around his future, with many believing the timing could mark a natural end point after a historic cycle of success.
While no official decision has been made, sources indicate that Manchester City have already begun planning for a possible transition.
Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is currently viewed as a leading internal candidate should Guardiola leave, reflecting City’s preference for continuity in playing style and tactical structure.
However, any managerial change would represent one of the biggest shifts in the Premier League, given Guardiola’s influence on both City and English football as a whole.
Guardiola’s decision now hinges on discussions with the club and his own assessment of the next stage of his career.
At 55, he still has time on his contract and no immediate pressure to leave, but after a decade at Manchester City, a natural conclusion to his cycle is being seriously considered.
Whether he stays or goes, his impact on the Premier League is already firmly established and his next move will shape not only Manchester City’s future, but also the wider managerial landscape of English football.
For now, though, all eyes remain on the Etihad and on a manager who may soon bring one of the Premier League’s greatest eras to a close.
