Pep Guardiola Could ‘Leave This Week’ After Man Utd vs Man City - With Replacement Named

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City endured one of their worst performances in recent memory as they travelled to Old Trafford to lose 2-0 to Michael Carrick's Manchester United on Saturday afternoon and Richard Keys has made a wild claim about Guardiola's future at the club in his post-match assessment.

Bragging rights, following their 3-0 loss earlier in the season, were reclaimed by the red half of the football-obsessed city at Old Trafford thanks to goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu in the second half.

Erling Haaland has now gone seven consecutive appearances without a non-penalty goal in all competitions – the striker's longest run while playing for a side in the top five European leagues.

The two-goal deficit flattered the visitors, who were off the boil from start to finish. Guardiola, who has won six league titles since swapping Bayern Munich for City in 2016, was unable to get a tune out of his expensively-assembled squad, thus dropping a crucial three points in the 2025/26 Premier League title race.

Keys Makes Sensational Guardiola Claim Following Man Utd 2-0 Man City

Their 2-0 loss to United now means that Aston Villa can leapfrog them in the table should they reign victorious in their Sunday contest with Everton – and any chance of winning gold come May was diminished that little bit more given Arsenal now have a healthy lead at the top.

Last season, finishing without a trophy, was unfamiliar territory for Guardiola and his men and should the same happen this time around, there could be concerns over how much longer the Catalan – who recently dropped £65 million on the signing of Antoine Semenyo.

He may have put pen to paper on a new two-year deal in November 2024, which runs until the summer of 2027, but Enzo Maresca's recent sacking has raised questions over whether he will stay in the hotseat until then if results fail to improve.

Keys, speaking on beIN Sports' post-match coverage of the Manchester Derby, has sensationally claimed that Guardiola may not be in charge of City's next match in the Premier League – against Wolverhampton Wanderers on January 24 at the Etihad Stadium.

“I think [it’s] nailed on [that Guardiola is] gone at the end of the season, but… do not rule out – and if it happens, remember where you heard it first – do not rule out him leaving this week,” Keys said.

“This week! And if he goes this week, [Enzo] Maresca will be in charge of the match against Wolves next week. City will be apoplectic, I've said that. They will deny it, of course, but it’s on his mind, I’m telling you. It’s on his mind to leave this week."

"Enough is enough," said his right-hand man, Andy Gray, before Keys added: "He's gone at the end of the year anyway, that's a given. Gone! And then I think [Vincent] Kompany then comes into the frame. If he goes this week, [it's] Maresca."

You know what they say: all good things must come to an end and Guardiola, albeit one of the greatest managers in football history, no longer has the pizzazz to waltz his side to league titles – which was perfectly evidenced last season when Liverpool won it with four matches to spare. This day was always going to come, however much it may sting.

Ben Jacobs: City Approached Maresca Before Chelsea Exit

Maresca, who was replaced by Liam Rosenior at Stamford Bridge recently, is reportedly high on the club's list of Guardiola replacements. His affinity to City – having worked at the club across two separate spells, once under Guardiola – could work into the club's hands should they want to appoint the wily Italian sooner rather than later.

The 45-year-old's decision to leave the Blues came once his side had drawn 2-2 with Bournemouth on December 30, according to GIVEMESPORT Senior Football Correspondent Ben Jacobs, and he did not partake in media duties as he weighed up his options.

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Reflecting on Enzo Maresca's signings during his time at Chelsea might indicate why his relationship with the hierarchy has broken down.

That said, Jacobs' report claimed there is no guarantee Maresca, widely regarded as one of the best managers in world football, will be offered the City job should a vacancy arise in the near future. He has, however, already spoken to the club and Serie A outfit Juventus regarding a quick return to managing in football.