Pep Guardiola Tipped for Shock Mid-Season Manchester City Exit This Week
Pep Guardiola has been tipped to leave Manchester City this week following the defeat to Manchester United, according to a wild claim made by Richard Keys.
Guardiola's side lost the second Manchester derby of the season 2-0 to their bitter rivals, with goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu giving Michael Carrick a dream start to life as interim manager back at Old Trafford.
City suffered a fifth defeat in the Premier League this season and are still without a top flight victory in 2026.
Guardiola was happy to admit that United were the better side, with his team struggling to create in front of goal and being regularly exposed in transition.
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The result, coupled with Arsenal's 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest, means City are seven points behind the Premier League leaders after 22 games.
Guardiola has never gone two successive campaigns without winning a title in his entire managerial career and the latest set-back saw Keys make the claim on beIN Sports.
He stated that Guardiola is "nailed on" to leave at the end of the season, ahead of his contract expiring at the Etihad Stadium.
However, Keys also added, "do not rule out him leaving this week" and claimed that Enzo Maresca would immediately replace his former mentor for City's next game against Wolves if it did happen.
In his weekly blog post, the 68-year-old doubled down on his claims - revealing that he shared information with well-connected people who know Guardiola.
He believes Guardiola "has been checked out" all season and believes his players and the Manchester press pack know more than they have let on.
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"Guardiola’s body language fascinated me at the end," he wrote.
"He wasn’t coaching as he usually does. There were no words for the opposition nor battles with cameramen - just a mournful walk to City fans.
"I mentioned this on air at beINSPORTS and immediately got a few messages from people who know him. People well connected in the NW.
"I floated some of the well sourced info I was getting, suggesting Guardiola could leave City this week - phrasing what I said like this ‘probable? Yea. Possible? Definitely. Likely? Less so now, but 100 per cent he’s gone at the end of the season’.
"In my view Guardiola has been checked out all season. He’s not the same. Of course he’s going to be disappointed about a defeat, but it all feels odd to me. I think his players know more than we do as well. I’m told the Manchester press corp do as well, but they won’t break ranks."
Guardiola's deal expires in 2027 and he has signed four different contract extensions at City - the latest of which was signed in 2024.
In his latest comment on his future, Guardiola said: "“I’m happy here. I want to stay here. What can I say? When the club, myself, or results – because at the end it’s always results – decide it’s the end of the chapter, the club will choose the best one to continue this incredible period in Man City.”
Topics: Pep Guardiola, Manchester City
Josh Lawless