Pep Guardiola tells Manchester City squad he will leave after final game as Enzo Maresca '

Pep Guardiola has told Manchester City players he will leave the club after Sundays final Premier League match of the season against Aston Villa, according to the Guardian. The manager informed his squad after news of his imminent departure emerged, the report says, and the timing surprised him while he was preparing for Tuesdays trip to Bournemouth.

Why it matters

A change of manager at Manchester City would be one of the biggest shifts in English football, given Guardiolas trophy haul and the clubs sustained success under his leadership. The identity of his successor, and how quickly any handover occurs, will affect Citys planning for transfers, coaching staff, and preparations for next seasons Premier League and European campaign, according to the Guardians report.

Reported move to Enzo Maresca and compensation issue

The Guardian says City have agreed a three-year deal in principle with Enzo Maresca to replace Guardiola. The report notes Chelsea may be able to demand compensation for Maresca under the terms of his current arrangement, though the feed does not include an official club statement or further contractual details.

Immediate reaction and context inside the squad

Guardiola is said to have felt obliged to update his players after news of his departure broke on Monday night. The Guardian adds that the timing of the announcement surprised Guardiola while he was preparing for Tuesdays match at Bournemouth. The feed does not include player or club quotes.

Key points

What happens next

According to the Guardian feed, Guardiola will remain in place until after the clubs final Premier League fixture. The report implies negotiations over Marescas contract and any compensation will be unresolved publicly until clubs issue formal statements. The single-source feed does not provide a timetable for an official announcement.

Given the limited sourcing in the supplied metadata, independent confirmation from Manchester City, Enzo Marescas representatives, or Chelsea (regarding compensation) should be sought before publishing as definitive news. This story is flagged for review until those confirmations are available.