Guardiola Set for U-Turn as Man City Stay Edges Closer; Italy Job Mooted for 'Radical Change'

Pep Guardiola appears increasingly likely to perform a dramatic reversal on his future at Manchester City, with trusted sources tipping the Catalan to extend his stay at the Etihad for another campaign.

The City boss remains among the Premier League's finest ever managers, having fundamentally reshaped English football since his 2016 arrival. His trophy haul speaks volumes: a Champions League crown, six league titles, two FA Cups, and five Carabao Cups.

Though Guardiola penned fresh terms through 2027 at the tail end of 2024, speculation about a potential exit has intensified in recent months. Yet former Premier League chief scout Mick Brown reckons the narrative is about to flip.

"I can definitely see Pep Guardiola staying for one more season," Brown told Football Insider.

The scout believes Guardiola will take stock of his current squad—featuring the likes of Erling Haaland, Marc Guehi, and Aurélien Cherki—and conclude they remain capable of challenging on all fronts. A transitional summer, with Bernardo Silva potentially departing and Rodri's future uncertain, had apparently sown seeds of doubt about the project's direction.

"He was having a few doubts and wasn't sure about the direction the team was heading in," Brown explained.

"But the new players are showing they still have that quality and winning drive, they could still win more trophies next season, and that will inspire Guardiola.

"His contract is up next year anyway, so one more year where they can go for another Premier League, Champions League and end on a high, I think that's what he'll do."

The fresh faces have already demonstrated the calibre required, potentially swaying the manager's thinking toward one final push.

Elsewhere, there is growing momentum behind an audacious alternative path for Guardiola: a national team appointment. Leonardo Bonucci, the Juventus stalwart, has publicly championed the idea of Guardiola taking the Italy job as the Azzurri seek to rebuild following their World Cup qualifying failure.

"The important thing is to rebuild Italian football from the ground up, starting with the defence," Bonucci said.

"We must have the courage to face the situation head-on in order to regain the respect of the entire world and become that great team that was once world champion."

On the prospect of Guardiola leading Italy, Bonucci added: "There are very talented young players; we must give them time to develop and progress. Time is the only miracle solution, and if radical change is desired, Pep is the man for the job. It's difficult, but dreaming is free."