Pep Guardiola arrives at Bournemouth without commenting on departure reports

By Andy Hampson, Press Association

Pep Guardiola has arrived at Bournemouth without commenting on reports he is set to leave Manchester City at the end of the season.

It was strongly reported on Monday night that the City manager would stand down after Sunday’s final Premier League game against Aston Villa.

City have yet to respond publicly to the speculation and Guardiola was allowed to focus on the job in hand as he paused briefly for a TV interview ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Asked simply how much the attention on him had affected preparation for the game, the Catalan told Sky Sports: “Zero.”

Guardiola, who has a year remaining on his contract, was likely to face more questions on the matter after a match City needed to win to take the title race to the final day of the season.

If confirmed, Guardiola’s departure would bring to an end one of the most successful managerial reigns in English football history.

Since the 55-year-old’s appointment in 2016, City have won 20 trophies including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.

They have also won the FA Cup three times and lifted the Carabao Cup on five occasions, including both competitions this term.

It has also been claimed that Guardiola’s former assistant Enzo Maresca has been lined up replace him, having been out of work since leaving Chelsea at the start of the year.

Maresca, 46, worked as Guardiola’s assistant during their treble-winning campaign in 2022-23, having previously been part of City’s academy set-up.

The Italian subsequently guided Leicester to promotion to the Premier League before joining Chelsea, where he won the Club World Cup and Conference League during his only full season in charge.