Manchester City have announced that five of Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff will leave the club following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, according to an official statement released by the club on Tuesday. The departing coaches are Pep Lijnders, Kolo Touré, Lorenzo Buenaventura, Manel Estiarte and Xabi Mancisidor. The club expressed gratitude for their “hard work and dedication” and wished them well for the future.
The exits come as Guardiola prepares to leave Manchester City after ten years in charge, a departure previously announced by the club. The timing of these staff departures aligns with Guardiola’s planned exit, signalling a widespread restructuring of the coaching setup at the Etihad Stadium. Lijnders has been a key part of Guardiola’s coaching team, known for his work with attacking players and tactical analysis. Touré, a former City player himself, brought a wealth of experience to the coaching staff.
Buenaventura, Estiarte, and Mancisidor have all been integral to Guardiola’s success, contributing to the club’s numerous Premier League titles and Champions League victory. The departures raise questions about the identity of the next manager and the composition of their coaching team. Recent reports have linked Vincent Kompany with a return to the club, though no official appointment has been made.
Manchester City recently confirmed Enzo Maresca as their new manager, with the Italian tactician expected to implement a similar style of play to Guardiola. The changes represent a significant shift for the club as they transition into a post-Guardiola era, aiming to maintain their dominance in English and European football. The club has enjoyed unprecedented success under Guardiola, and the new management team will face the challenge of building upon that legacy.
