This might come across as a different take, but I’ve been thinking — might this be a decision the club actively took, rather than simply accepted? In other words, the often-said “he can leave/stay when he wants, the club will let him decide” might be missing the club’s own preference in the context of our form earlier this season, what was considered best for the club then (including operationally), and quite possibly what the club still wants (even if Pep is plausibly having second thoughts).
Disclaimer: I love the man. If it was up to me we’d keep him for many more years. I know the club would give him a respectful send-off, and I believe it was genuinely “mutual” (although there’s some confusion in how that term’s used in football).
But when you look at the broad timeline (as reported):
• Early season (up to Oct): Struggling around 5th place after a trophyless campaign. Many of us were worrying and writing the season off early. Pep looked short of fresh ideas at times.
• December 2025: Maresca leaves Chelsea. Stories linking him to City as Pep’s successor had already surfaced before he departed. He reportedly told Chelsea about the interest, causing the breakdown, and he’s been out of work since. (Surprising for a young, promising, in-demand manager who had so recently left his AM post to pursue this career)
• January 2026: Our form dipped again. If talks were happening in that Dec/Jan window, those results would have supported a mutual decision. Plenty here were saying “it’s time”. This is also the window you’d expect City to discuss, and then make, arrangements for a transition (knowing how we’ll run the club is).
• April/May 2026: Resurgence in form. Treble bid. Two trophies. Likeable young new squad coming together. Dramatically different both vs what we expected earlier in the season, but also I would imagine how the dressing room feels.
If as reported a decision was reached in Dec/Jan, to me it seems like a properly “mutual” one - ie both sides wanted it for similar, albeit personal, reasons. Pep was tired and 10 years is the perfect milestone, plus our form wasn’t giving him any joy. The club, with its high standards, had one trophyless season and risked another — a change was needed eventually, so why not now with a trusted successor lined up? And again, our form wasn’t great. So, hypothetically (but as reported, contemporaneously), we reached a gentleman’s agreement / signed a pre-contract with Maresca, put everyone involved on NDAs and planned for an announcement later in the season.
I would have expected the club to announce Pep’s departure earlier. But they probably weren’t expecting a potential treble charge or anything resembling that, and the right decision for all involved would have been (regrettably) to delay announcement so as not to impact the players. Pep’s comments about his contract having one more year seem to be for the same reasons - not breaking his NDA (if he has one), respecting the club’s preferences on timing, and most importantly protecting the players.
What surprised me were his comments tonight about speaking to the chairman. That was the first time it seemed to me he might be having second thoughts. After all, what is there to discuss otherwise? It might be an awkward chat to have though - if earlier in the season it really had been a mutual decision as described above, you’d need movement from both parties. I find it difficult to believe that City would break their word to Maresca (if given), reverse a huge operational decision taken many months ago (if taken), or leave an open question over the manager’s tenure going into next season. It goes against the stability and credibility the club treasures.
I’m not a mind reader and I only have the same knowledge as the rest of you, so I might be wrong. I just think the situation has been handled extremely oddly and Pep’s comments tonight were odd too. There are obviously a few other oddities in the manner/timing of when this was leaked, conflicting accounts from some linked to City (not that I think Liam Gallagher’s the most reliable source), and the guesswork that seems involved on the parts of some of the journalists/pundits reporting this. But if you asked me to guess, I’d say Pep’s having second thoughts, but those may well not change the dial (as the club isn’t leaving this totally up to him). We live in hope?
