Pep Guardiola could leave Man City in days as likely replacement already named

Pep Guardiola is clearly under growing pressure as Man City failed to close the gap at the top of the Premier League table after defeat to Man United.

Supporters will continue to argue that Diogo Dalot should have seen red for his challenge on Jeremy Doku after just 11 minutes, and that, undoubtedly, had an effect on the game.

Arsenal are favourites to lift the Premier League title, and after the Citizens gave away all three points at Old Trafford on Saturday, 17 January, those chances are growing even more.

Man City have now failed to beat Sunderland, Chelsea, Brighton, and the Red Devils, and the gap between first and second could increase even further when Arsenal face Nottingham Forest.

With the Citizens faltering in their league efforts this season, Richard Keys has tipped the manager for an early exit, bringing an end to his decade at the Etihad Stadium.

Enzo Maresca tipped for early Man City return after Chelsea exit

Reacting to City’s first defeat in 14 games across all competitions, Keys named who he believes could take over at the Etihad should Guardiola hand in his notice in the coming days.

“I think it’s nailed on that he’s gone at the end of the season. But, do not rule out him leaving this week. This week. If he goes this week, [Enzo] Maresca will be in charge of the match against Wolves,” he said.

“City will be apoplectic, and they’ll deny it, of course, but it’s on his mind, I’m telling you, to leave this week. He does this a lot, so you can’t read much into it, but this time you can.”

Keys also added that should he wait until the end of the season, it will be Bayern Munich’s Vincent Kompany that possibly emerges as the favourite instead.

What has Maresca said about returning to Man City?

The Italian was heavily linked with the Citizens before even parting ways with the Blues, and he was very clear about his feelings, but that could have already changed.

Back in December, he said: “It doesn’t affect me at all because I know it’s 100 per cent speculation. In this moment, there is no time for these kinds of things, first of all, because I have a contract here until 2029.”

Fast-forward one month, however, and Maresca is no longer contracted at Stamford Bridge, which throws an entirely different spanner into the works now.

The idea of losing Guardiola is absolutely heartbreaking, and actually trying to find his successor when he finally hangs up his metaphorical boots will be an extremely difficult challenge.

During his time with the Citizens, the club has gone from an average Premier League side to Champions League winners, with 10 total Premier League titles and another two FA Cup trophies under his reign.

Replacing him was always going to come at some point, but halfway through the 2025-26 campaign would not be ideal at all.

The post Pep Guardiola could leave Man City in days as likely replacement already named appeared first on Football Insider.