The bombshell that has been rumbling through the corridors of the Etihad has finally detonated. Pep Guardiola, the architect of Manchester City. �s mo...
The bombshell that has been rumbling through the corridors of the Etihad has finally detonated. Pep Guardiola, the architect of Manchester City. �s modern empire, has personally informed his squad that he will walk away from the club after Sunday. �s final Premier League fixture against Aston Villa. GoalZaza can exclusively confirm that the Catalan tactician felt duty bound to address his players directly after news of his impending exit broke on Monday evening, catching even the manager unawares as he prepared for the midweek clash at Bournemouth. In the scheme of things, Guardiola. �s departure marks the end of an era that has seen City conquer England with a clinical ruthlessness rarely witnessed in the modern game. The powers that be at the Etihad have moved with characteristic speed, however, and GoalZaza has gathered that the club have agreed a three year deal in principle with Enzo Maresca, the former Leicester City boss who currently plies his trade at Chelsea. The Italian will command compensation from the London side, a detail that has been ironed out in principle as the board prepares to hand him the lion. �s share of the tactical reins. Maresca, a stalwart student of Guardiola. �s methods having served as his assistant at City, is expected to bring a similar possession based philosophy but with his own authoritative stamp. The Nigerian internationals in the Premier League will be watching this transition with keen interest, particularly Victor Osimhen, whose name has been linked with a summer move to the blue side of Manchester. At the end of the day, the Super Eagles talisman could find himself working under a manager who values the raw power and finishing ability that Osimhen has displayed for Napoli and Nigeria. For the City players, the news has been a sobering reality check. They must now give a good account of themselves in a season finale that suddenly carries the weight of a farewell. The tension at the Etihad on Sunday will be palpable as fans digest the reality that their manager of many trophies is finally calling time on his English adventure. Back home in Lagos, the viewing centres along Allen Avenue and in Surulere will be packed to the rafters. Fans wearing both City and Arsenal jerseys will argue heatedly over klegs and cold drinks, with many shaking their heads at Guardiola. �s decision while others praise Maresca as a worthy successor. Expect plenty of animated debates about whether the Italian can handle the pressure of replacing a man who has won everything, and whether Osimhen might finally don the GoalZaza blue kit if Maresca takes charge. The noise from the big screens will be deafening come Sunday, as Nigerian football lovers savour the drama of Guardiola. �s final bow.
