Manchester City Remains Managerless Following Guardiola’s Exit
Manchester City is currently without a manager after Pep Guardiola’s departure at the end of the season. The club is reportedly in discussions with Premier League rivals Chelsea regarding Enzo Maresca’s potential appointment. Maresca, who has previous experience as City’s academy manager and served as Guardiola’s assistant during the treble-winning 2022/23 campaign, appears to be a strong candidate for the role.
This summer is shaping up to be one of significant transition for Manchester City, especially in light of the exits of not only Guardiola but also key players like John Stones and Bernardo Silva. As the team navigates this period of change, new reports indicate that as many as seven additional stars may soon depart from The Etihad Stadium.
According to The Athletic, seven first-team players, including Omar Marmoush and Mateo Kovacic, could be allowed to leave during the upcoming transfer window. Kovacic, who joined City from Chelsea in 2023, has found it challenging to secure a regular spot in the starting XI. With only a year remaining on his contract, the Croatian midfielder looks likely to seek a new club.
Marmoush, another player potentially on the move, was signed from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2025 but has had a modest return of 16 goals in 61 appearances across all competitions. The report also highlights that defender Nathan Ake might be facing the exit, while midfielders Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders could find themselves on the transfer list, despite Reijnders having only joined last summer.
Goalkeeper James Trafford is yet another name mentioned as a potential departure. After joining from Burnley last year, Trafford quickly lost his position as City’s first-choice goalkeeper to Gianluigi Donnarumma, limiting his playing time. Additionally, academy graduate Rico Lewis is reportedly in line for a transfer, as his minutes on the pitch have significantly decreased over the last 18 months.
Josko Gvardiol, a City defender, is reportedly weighing his options amid interest from both Bayern Munich and Barcelona. Meanwhile, Ruben Dias has emerged as a target for Spanish giants Real Madrid, who may make a move once José Mourinho is confirmed as their new manager. As Manchester City faces a summer rife with potential upheaval, the focus will be on how they navigate these changes and strengthen their squad for the coming season.
