Manchester City have confirmed that five members of the first team set-up will leave in addition to Pep Guardiola.
Manchester City have confirmed that five key members of staff will leave this summer as well as Pep Guardiola. City’s manager is saying goodbye after ten years in charge, and most of his backroom staff are going with him.
That includes his right-hand man Manel Estiarte and fitness coach Lorenzo Buenaventura, who have been with him for all of his time in Manchester. Goalkeeping coach Xabi Mancisidor is also leaving, having spent even longer than that at the club after joining while Manuel Pellegrini was in charge.
Guardiola’s No.2 Pep Lijnders and assistant Kolo Toure are also off, despite only spending a year on the backroom staff. Toure had been promoted from the academy staff while Lijnders arrived after a brief stint managing RB Salzburg in 2024 and both were key parts of Guardiola’s staff this season but are moving on.
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James French, who arrived from Liverpool last summer to be the set-piece coach, is expected to stay on but otherwise there will be several key vacancies for City to fill. Enzo Maresca is expected to bring a number of his trusted backroom staff to the Etihad if and when the Italian is confirmed as the new manager.
Guardiola has called for patience from fans for the new manager as the club tries to move on from one of the most memorable decades in their history. The 55-year-old ended his final press conference as City boss by backing the succession plan.
“They are stubborn, they know exactly what they want to do and they know perfectly that the opponents are so tough here and in Europe. We don’t take trophies for granted, we won finals against Arsenal and Chelsea – I wouldn’t say they are not good teams,” he said.
“We fought against a team like Aston Villa, who won the Europa League. Top teams. I would only like to say to the fans that every single step, don’t wait to win the Premier League or Champions League to be happy. Enjoy the process. I know all the players here will do it.”











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