Al Mubarak warns City's rivals as Maresca era begins: 'Built to win'

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has declared that Pep Guardiola’s exit will not end the club’s dominance, warning rivals not to celebrate prematurely as Enzo Maresca prepares to take charge for the 2026/27 season.

Speaking to club media, Al Mubarak reflected on a recovery campaign in 2025/26 that yielded two domestic cups — victories over Arsenal and Chelsea in the respective finals — and took the Premier League title race to the final week. After a difficult 2024/25 season, the chairman believes squad changes made over the past 18 months have positioned City to push even harder under new management.

“We’ve gone through a very thoughtful and structured process and the team is convinced – and I am convinced, rest assured – that we will bring in the right manager for this club,” Al Mubarak said. “Just be patient with us. Very soon we’ll announce it and you will be very comfortable that we have selected and brought in the best manager possible for this club.”

Al Mubarak placed Guardiola’s tenure in the context of a longer arc of success at the Etihad, tracing the club’s transformation from 2008 to the present day. He credited Roberto Mancini with delivering City’s first Premier League title and an FA Cup, Manuel Pellegrini with adding further silverware, and Guardiola with instilling a winning culture that has become embedded in the club’s identity.

“We are far from peaked,” he said. “This is a club that is designed, built to win. What Pep has given us has taken us to the next level, and I think we’re so thankful for what he’s helped build here.”

Guardiola’s decade at City produced 20 trophies, a run that made City the dominant force in English football. Al Mubarak’s message was clear: rivals hoping that his departure signals a power shift should think again.