Pep Guardiola decided to leave Manchester City in the summer of 2024, more than a year before his formal announcement last Friday, with the club's succession planning for Enzo Maresca running parallel to that process, according to multiple sources speaking to The Athletic.

Guardiola had originally planned to step down alongside director of football Txiki Begiristain in 2025. His surprise contract extension in November 2024 caught even his own staff off guard, but sources say he had privately determined by then that he would honor only one additional year, bringing him to this summer.

City began formally exploring potential replacements in late 2025, considering candidates based on tactical style and personality. The club deny drawing up a formal shortlist, though sources confirm Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso was among names discussed internally. Alonso has now been hired as manager of Chelsea.

Maresca remained the frontrunner throughout. City first contacted him at the end of last year. Under the terms of his Chelsea contract, Maresca informed the London club of those discussions. The two parties subsequently parted ways, with Chelsea furious over the circumstances of his mid-season departure.

Maresca has deep ties to City as former manager Manuel Pellegrini recommended him to Begiristain years ago, leading to his hiring as the club's under-23 coach. Academy staff were struck by his preparation, including extensive tactical research stored across folders on his laptop. His work developing players including Cole Palmer and Liam Delap cemented his standing as a long-term managerial candidate.

The pursuit of Maresca accelerated once it became clear Guardiola would not reverse course. He has since begun working with new director of football Hugo Viana on summer planning. City also confirmed Guardiola will take up a global ambassador role within the City Football Group. A statue has been commissioned and the North Stand will be renamed in his honor.

Guardiola made his exit official Friday via a self-written three-minute video released at 11:10 a.m., having first shown it to players and hosted lunch with his entire first-team staff.

"It's time," he said. "It's not wake up and say, 'Now is the time to leave' — it is a process that I felt for a while."