Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak has shed light on the circumstances surrounding Pep Guardiola's departure from the club, revealing that the manager had attempted to quit "100 times" over his decade-long tenure before finally stepping away this summer. Guardiola, who arrived at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, concluded his highly successful 10-year spell as City boss at the end of the season. Khaldoon emphasized that Guardiola never initially expected to remain in charge for a full decade, often expressing his desire to leave after just a few years.

The City chairman likened Guardiola's frequent threats to resign to the fable of 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf,' indicating that previous declarations were often not to be taken literally and required his intervention to convince the manager to stay. Khaldoon explained that in such instances, Guardiola typically needed someone to encourage him to reconsider. However, this time, Khaldoon noted he "did not fight" the 55-year-old's decision to end his tenure, acknowledging that "this time he meant it." This marks a significant shift from their previous interactions where Khaldoon consistently managed to persuade Guardiola to continue.

Looking ahead, Manchester City has reportedly identified Enzo Maresca as the preferred successor to Guardiola. Club officials are currently engaged in negotiations with Chelsea regarding compensation for Maresca's previous role at Stamford Bridge. While City had initially hoped to announce the 46-year-old Italian last week, Khaldoon urged supporters to exercise "patience" as the final paperwork is being processed. He assured fans that a "very thoughtful and structured process" has been followed, and both the team and he are "convinced" that the right manager will be brought in, promising an announcement very soon.

In his traditional end-of-season interview, Khaldoon Al-Mubarak also reiterated Manchester City's unwavering commitment to challenging for trophies even without Guardiola at the helm. He outlined comprehensive plans to strengthen the squad during the summer transfer window, stating, "We are far from peaked. This is a club that is designed, built to win." Khaldoon expressed confidence in the club's transfer strategy, affirming that they know precisely what additions are needed and are targeting specific players. He promised efficiency and swift action in the transfer market, conveying strong optimism that the team will return "very strong" next season, aiming for an even more formidable position.