Pep Guardiola Man City exit theory as 'clues are mounting up' for Jamie Carragher

Pep Guardiola's future at Manchester City has been debated by former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher has explained why he believes Pep Guardiola’s time at Manchester City will come to a close at the end of the season. Guardiola is approaching 10 years in charge at the Etihad Stadium, with City still in the mix for four trophies after the halfway point of the campaign.

Guardiola’s current contract at City runs until the summer of 2027, meaning he still has almost 18 months left to run on the deal he signed back in November 2024.

Despite this, there have been continued rumours about Guardiola’s future, with the speculation intensifying after reports earlier in the seaosn linked Enzo Maresca with being his successor at the Etihad.

With City still challenging for the Premier League title, in the final of the Carabao Cup, as well as having hopes of lifting the FA Cup and the Champions League, Guardiola’s attention will be focused on achieving more silverware this term.

Carragher, though, believes the recent speculation are signs that Guardiola could leave City in the summer, with the former Liverpool defender giving his verdict on the Blues manager’s future.

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“Pep Guardiola is the greatest football coach of all time and we should cherish every remaining minute of his Premier League career,” Carragher wrote in The Telegraph.

“It feels like we are watching Guardiola’s last dance in England. The clues are mounting up, pointing to the idea that he will end his Manchester City reign at the end of this season, with succession plans being formulated and his club’s recent transfer activity smacking of his hierarchy doing everything in its power to ensure he leaves with another trophy.

If an announcement is imminent before May, Guardiola’s peerless contribution to elevating Premier League standards must and will be acknowledged. He is the No 1.”

Carragher also explained why Guardiola and City may be mindful of the way Jurgen Klopp announced his departure from Liverpool two years ago, with the decision made public midway through a season.

“Such a tribute will seem premature if Guardiola stays at City for another season, but the reluctance to confirm or deny his plans naturally creates suspicion a change is imminent,” Carragher added.

“If he has decided to go, it is a dilemma knowing how to handle such a transition. Jurgen Klopp issued a mid-season statement when leaving Liverpool, which caused a debate as to whether the emotional impact was a help or hindrance in the last few months.”

Carragher continued: “Like his great Premier League rival Klopp, there is a sense in the last few seasons of Guardiola feeling a responsibility to leave behind a reconstructed side for a successor rather than having his replacement start again.”

Guardiola was asked about his future at the Etihad earlier in the season amid rumours that Maresca could be his successor, with the City boss pointing to the time remaining on his contract to dismiss the speculation.

"The last three or four years every time someone asks me that question. Sooner or later, when I'm 75 or 76, I will quit City," Guardiola said back in December.

"I understand the question but I have 18 months left and I am so delighted. That question happens every single season and I'm okay.

"There are no discussions - end of the subject. I will not be here eternal here, none of us will be forever in this world but there are no discussions. What is going to happen will happen and the club has to be prepared for everything. The club has to be prepared but that subject is not on the table right now.

"I'm here. What's going to happen who knows but if I have 10 years on my contract or six months, football changes a lot. Now I'm focused on West Ham and go for a few days with my dad and that's all, come back for Nottingham and Sunderland and Brighton and Chelsea."