Man City's world falls apart in 24 hours of despair

Figure caption,

Highlights: Man City held at Bournemouth as Arsenal secure Premier League title

Manchester City's world fell apart in the space of 24 hours as they surrendered the Premier League title - following on from the bombshell news of manager Pep Guardiola's impending departure.

The headlines every City fan feared about the Spaniard's future broke on Monday night, before their side's 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Tuesday meant Arsenal ended their 22-year wait to become champions with a four-point advantage and one game left.

While Guardiola insists he will make his decision after talks with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, the expectation is for him to end his trophy-laden, decade-long tenure with the club, with Enzo Maresca poised to be his successor.

Guardiola, whose side host Aston Villa on Sunday in their final game, told Sky Sports: "I could say that I have one more year of contract and with the conversations I have had for many years, always from my experience when you announce - whatever you announce - during the competition, [it] is a bad, bad result.

"And like you understand, the first person I have to talk to is my chairman because we both decided when we finish the season we will sit and we will talk. It is as simple as that and after we will take the decision."

The 55-year-old, who has led City to Carabao Cup and FA Cup success this season, added: "Listen, I have one more year of contract.

"I will not tell you [a decision] here because I have to talk with my chairman, with my players, with my staff because when we play for the FA Cup, qualification for the Champions League, the Premier League it's just one thing in my mind and focus: Try to bring the team to the highest point and it's what we have done."

Arsenal have been Premier League pacesetters for much of the campaign and Guardiola's protégé, and former City assistant, Mikel Arteta finally delivered their first title since Arsene Wenger's 'Invincibles' in 2004.

They also face Paris St-Germain in the Champions League final on 30 May and a gracious Guardiola said: "On behalf of Man City, congratulations to Arsenal, Mikel and all the backroom staff on the Premier League that they deserve.

"He put a lot of effort and work. Congratulations to him."

'Guardiola will be remembered as an icon'

Figure caption,

Guardiola post-match reaction to the draw at Bournemouth

All eyes were on Guardiola at Vitality Stadium for City's must-win game.

He was greeted by the flashing cameras of 22 photographers as he entered the dugout before kick-off, while one City fan raised a bedsheet with 'Pep Stay' scribbled on it.

"One more year, one more year, Guardiola," was chanted during the game but, by the end, the manager was the first to make a hasty exit down the tunnel as his disconsolate players took the applause of the travelling supporters.

The shock developments, should they officially be confirmed by the club, mean it is now shaping up to be a significant summer of change at City this summer.

Until last Friday, Guardiola - who will undoubtedly go down as one of the finest managers to grace English football - had continued to insist he had "one more year" left on his contract.

But it now appears to be the end of the road after a successful spell in charge since he replaced Manuel Pellegrini in 2016.

Guardiola masterminded historic achievements at City, such as becoming the first top-flight side to achieve 100 points, the first English team to win the title in four successive seasons, and a Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League Treble in 2023 which he has described as his greatest achievement with the club.

A domestic cup double was secured this season, but the title has eluded them for a second straight campaign - something which has not happened before in Guardiola's distinguished managerial career, which included spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

And if it does transpire to be his final week, he will no doubt depart with a tinge of regret.

City had the title in their own hands 15 days ago, but the trip to Everton proved to be a turning point, dropping two points in a thrilling 3-3 draw that Arsenal fully capitalised on.

Sunday's game against Villa will now be viewed as an emotional farewell to a man who has brought so much joy, and success, to supporters over the past 10 years.

"Pep Guardiola's DNA has spread to other teams as well," former City defender Nedum Onuoha told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I think Pep at Man City will be remembered as an icon.

"For them to find so much success, trips to Wembley on such big occasions. He will be remembered as the greatest ever. The success that came at this time came when it was very competitive in the league.

"The fact he is going to step aside, and someone has to come and try to build another legacy will be very different. Guardiola at Man City has been a constant. There is a huge void, but then huge potential."

'Impossible to make the impact of phenomenal Pep'

The baton is set to be passed on to Maresca, another of Guardiola's disciples and someone who played a key role in City's academy and was the Spaniard's assistant during the 2023 Treble season, before going on to enjoy success as manager of Leicester City and Chelsea.

The Italian does not appear to be a candidate, but is the chosen one.

Talks between the two parties are understood to be at an advanced stage and the 46-year-old will be handed the unenviable task of filling the boots of one of the standout coaches of his generation.

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton said on BBC Radio 5 Live: "How can anybody replace what Pep has done for so many seasons at Manchester City in terms of the brand of football and winning trophies?

"It's impossible to come in and make the impact which Pep Guardiola has had, not just at Manchester City, but in the Premier League as a whole. With regard to Pep being one of the greatest managers of all time? Yeah, absolutely.

"With regard to the Premier League, it will always be Sir Alex Ferguson, but in terms of what Pep Guardiola has achieved and transformed, in terms of making coaches think and what football fans think. I think that he has been phenomenal."

Maresca would likely want to bring his own staff to Etihad Stadium and it is understood his former Leicester and Chelsea assistant, and ex-City goalkeeper, Willy Caballero will join him.

Meanwhile, the outcome of City's 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules remains unresolved, but will it finally be revealed before any appointment?

'There is going to be a huge void'

Guardiola has reshaped his squad in the past three transfer windows with the acquisition of 11 new players so, should his exit be confirmed, Maresca will take the helm of a team ready-made and hungry to challenge for more honours.

The off-field upheaval will coincide with the need to appoint a new captain as Bernardo Silva leaves this summer, along with popular England defender John Stones, while more could follow.

Dutch defender Nathan Ake is also out of contract, while keeper James Trafford, Rico Lewis and midfielder Mateo Kovacic have had their first-team minutes limited this term, and Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez could also be moved on.

"I believe there is going to be a huge void when Pep Guardiola leaves the football club," said former City keeper Shay Given. "You look across the city at what happened at Manchester United with Sir Alex [when he left as manager in 2013]. That's the last thing City want.

"In [director of football] Hugo Viana, who has been there a year, they have let him settle in at the club. He will be here for the next number of years, I am sure.

"The handover won't be as volatile as Manchester United, but it is easier said than done. Who comes in? That's the huge next big thing."

Image caption,

One Man City fan urged Guardiola to remain at the club