Manchester City conduct “soft background checks” on manager as Pep Guardiola exit talk intensifies

Officials at Manchester City are ongoing in their search for a potential successor to Pep Guardiola, new comments have revealed.

Speculation surrounding Guardiola’s long-term future has continued to build momentum despite the Catalan remaining under contract until the summer of 2027, with repeated suggestions over the last few weeks that the current campaign could be his final season.

There is reportedly a growing conviction among rival managers and senior figures within the game that Pep Guardiola’s decision on his future may already be forming behind the scenes at Manchester City.

That belief has been fuelled by Guardiola’s own reluctance to categorically shut down exit talk when questioned publicly during press conference duties, as well as the club’s discreet approach to forward planning.

City’s stance has been framed as strategic rather than reactive, with reports pointing towards contingency planning underway, including conversations held with potential successors such as Enzo Maresca, while other names including Xabi Alonso have been persistently linked.

Now, speaking as part of a wider discussion live on Sky Sports News, MailSport’s Craig Hope has pointed towards further work having been conducted behind-the-scenes at City concerning the future of Pep Guardiola.

“When David [Ornstein] wrote the story five or six weeks ago [concerning talks between Enzo Maresca and Manchester City], there was a lot of journalists nodding along in agreement, because there have been what we would describe as whispers now,” said Hope.

He continued, “Another manager, who I won’t name, I know City have done soft background checks on him if you like, so they are getting the ducks in a row for this eventuality.”

The suggestion that City are already carrying out due diligence on candidates aligns with previous reports that senior figures at the club expected Pep Guardiola’s latest contract extension to serve as a short-term stabiliser rather than a firm long-term commitment.

Should Guardiola ultimately decide to depart at the end of the season, Manchester City would be faced with a significant transition point, not only in terms of managerial leadership but also sporting philosophy and recruitment direction.

The timing of such a decision could prove crucial as Manchester City prepare for another summer of squad evolution, off the back of 12 months that has seen the club spend over £500 million on at least 11 new faces.

For now, Pep Guardiola remains in post and focused on the ongoing campaign, but the increasing volume of aligned reporting suggests that the club’s preparations extend well beyond the present.