Pep Guardiola may leave Manchester City this summer.

The bombshell has been dropped at the Etihad Stadium! Pep Guardiola, the mastermind behind Manchester City’s revolution over the last decade, may be packing his bags to leave the club this summer. Following a golden era that has forever changed the history of the Citizens, the Spanish manager faces an uncertain future, with increasingly strong rumors pointing to an imminent farewell.

Despite still having a year left on his contract and having recently extended for another two seasons after winning the Premier League again, reports from the Spanish press, notably RadioMarca, leave no room for doubt: there is a “high probability” that Guardiola will end his association with the club at the end of the season. This scenario has not caught the club’s executives by surprise, who are already preparing the ground for a smooth transition.

And who could take over? The name of Enzo Maresca, former assistant manager to Guardiola and ex-coach of Chelsea, has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed the Spaniard. The prospect is being taken seriously within the City dressing room, where players are already aware that Pep’s departure is a real and imminent possibility.

The speculation does not end here. Guardiola has been identified as one of the favorites to take over the Italian national team, a position that could pave the way for his next challenge, although nothing has been officially confirmed. The coach, who has been continuously active since 2008, may also choose to take a break from his career to recharge before deciding on his next destination.

Amid this whirlwind of news, another City star may be on the way out: Rodri Hernández, the Citizens’ captain. According to expert Matteo Moretto, the Spanish midfielder has yet to decide his future, but he does not rule out a return to Madrid, his hometown. Real Madrid, which has shown interest in the player, is waiting for the resolution of its own coaching situation before proceeding with negotiations, and so far has made no official contact with Manchester City.

With only five games remaining to decide the Premier League title, Manchester City’s season could mark the end of an era and the beginning of a new phase. Fans and football experts around the world will be watching the next chapters of this saga that promises to shake up the market and the landscape of European football.

Stay tuned for updates and learn all about the movements of Manchester City, Guardiola, and Rodri’s future, at a time that could redefine the course of international football!

This article first appeared on Apito Final.