PEP GUARDIOLA has told his stunned title-chasing players he WILL quit Manchester City after this Sunday’s final-day clash, Sun Sport can reveal.
The Spaniard, 55, is said to be furious after news of his departure leaked ahead of tonight’s penultimate all-or-nothing tie at Bournemouth.
Pep Guardiola has told Man City players he will leave Man City this summer Credit: PA
Sources said he contacted players late last night to confirm he will be leaving the Etihad after a trophy-laden decade in charge.
Pep, who has 12 months left on his current deal, could be replaced by his former assistant Enzo Maresca, 46, who left Chelsea in January.
A source said: “Pep is furious at the timing just before a game.
“He summoned the players to join a late night group call and confirmed he was leaving.
“He apologised for the way the news emerged. It took him by surprise.
“The players were told as recently as Saturday that he wasn’t going so everyone is in a state of shock.”
The legendary boss, who led City to 17 major titles, has been tight-lipped over his future in recent days and has repeatedly insisted he still has a year left..
Guardiola arrived from Bayern Munich in 2016.
He has won six Premier League titles, lifted City’s first Champions League trophy in 2023 – and secured the domestic cup double this term.
It was already known that Sunday would be the last match for longserving stars Bernardo Silva and John Stones.
But it will also be Pep’s 593rd and final game in charge too.
SunSport reported on Monday he had spoken with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak after their FA Cup triumph against Chelsea on Saturday.
And it now seems that their hopes of persuading him to see out that final year of his contract have fallen short.
Fans want the newly-expanded North Stand to be named after the Spaniard.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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