Manchester City chiefs have supposedly resigned themselves to losing head coach Pep Guardiola when the 53-year-old's contract expires next summer.
Having already built up a reputation as one of the best coaches on the planet during his stints with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Guardiola was summoned to take the Etihad hotseat in the summer of 2016.
Despite a slightly underwhelming first season in English football, the Spaniard has now masterminded Man City's on-field transformation into a Premier League, European and world-conquering unit.
With Guardiola at the helm, City have become the first side to ever win four straight Premier League titles, in addition to clinching their maiden honours in the Champions League and Club World Cup.
The Citizens added their latest Premier League crown to their CV this season, but the defence of their Champions League ended in the quarter-finals to Real Madrid, before the weekend's FA Cup final heartbreak at the hands of bitter foes Manchester United.
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Guardiola 'expected to leave despite City stance'
Guardiola has nevertheless insisted that he will continue in his role for the 2024-25 campaign, but his contract only runs for a little over 12 months as speculation over a potential exit heats up.
The 53-year-old has unsurprisingly kept his cards close to his chest regarding his future, but according to the Daily Mail, City expect him to bid farewell when his current contract runs its course.
The report adds that the powers-that-be want to tie Guardiola down to a renewal and will allow him time and space to come to a decision, but there is a consensus that he will not be penning fresh terms.
The club have supposedly not received any official communication from Guardiola regarding his next career move, but people within the club have apparently openly talked about the possibility of the ex-Barca and Bayern boss departing next year.
Guardiola has already confirmed his desire to take charge of a national team before he calls time on his management career, while a sensational return to Barcelona - who sacked Xavi on Friday - has been mooted but is unrealistic.
Who could succeed Guardiola at Man City?
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Following in Guardiola's footsteps is an extremely tall order for any head coach regardless of their resume, but the Citizens have supposedly already drawn up a list of possible candidates as they make contingency plans for next summer.
Michel - manager of Man City's sister club Girona who unexpectedly qualified for next year's Champions League - is thought to be high on the wishlist, as is Germany's Julian Nagelsmann, but the latter recently signed a new national team deal until 2026.
In addition, Nagelsmann apparently turned his nose up to the Liverpool job due to not wanting to directly succeed Jurgen Klopp - suggesting that he could adopt a similar stance with Guardiola at Man City.
However, Roberto De Zerbi - whom Guardiola is a strong advocate of - is available after leaving Brighton & Hove Albion, while it remains to be seen if Xabi Alonso continues at Bayer Leverkusen beyond the end of the 2024-25 season too.
An Etihad return for Guardiola's ex-assistant and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta - also out of contract in 2025 - has been mooted too, but the Spaniard is expected to hold talks over a new Gunners deal imminently.
