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Time for a rebuild?
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It's going to be strange when the 2026/27 season begins and there is no Pep Guardiola. The Spaniard was the longest serving manager in the Premier League, having endured a trophy-glittered decade long stay at Manchester City. However, after leading the Sky Blues to two more domestic trophies last term, but missing out on the league title, the legendary manager announced his decision to leave the club. He will be replaced by his former assistant Enzo Maresca, who has some task following one of the all-time greats.
With Guardiola's tenure over, it feels like a summer of change is about to ensue at the Etihad. There are plenty of rumours around star players also leaving the club in the upcoming transfer window, and it may be time to truly bed in some of the younger talent that has arrived at the club in the past 18 months. With this in mind, here at Transfermarkt, we have picked out five star players who could leave Man City this summer, and how they could then line up under Maresca next term.
Five Man City stars who could leave the club
Josko Gvardiol
Manchester City are currently trying to tie down young defender Josko Gvardiol to a new long-term contract to keep him at the Etihad, but some reports suggest he may have had his head turned by interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid. The Croatian struggled with injury throughout the 2025/26 campaign, but fits the mould for a move to Madrid with Los Blancos favouring a player who can play both at left-back and centre-back.
Rúben Días
Another star defender who could depart the Etihad this summer is the experienced Rúben Dias. The 29-year-old Portuguese defender has been symbolic of the trophy-glittered years under Guardiola, but has also been the subject of interest from Real Madrid. Atlético Madrid and Barcelona have also been linked with a move for Dias.
Omar Marmoush
Omar Marmoush showed great promise in his first six months in Manchester following his big-money move from Frankfurt in January 2025. However, last season, the Egyptian felt right off the wayside, starting just 21% of the Sky Blues Premier League games. Plenty of clubs on the continent have been linked with a move for the forward including Barcelona.
Tijjani Reijnders
Another player who flattered to deceive, Tijjani Reijnders looked to have the makings of a world beater during his first month in Sky Blue, but as the season progressed, the Dutchman's time sat on the substitutes bench increased. He has been linked with a move back to the Serie A and Atlético Madrid this summer.
Rodri
Now, this would potentially be the biggest blow of all. Rodri has been instrumental to Man City's success, and it's to no great surprise that their domination of the Premier League began to falter when their Spanish midfielder's injury problems began in 2024. It was another frustrating season for Rodri last term, and there is plenty of interest from Spain, with Real Madrid again heavily linked. Although Real Madrid are now close to completing the signing of Bernardo Silva which could end their interest in Rodri.
How Man City could line up under Enzo Maresca
So with those departures, how could Man City line up under Maresca next term? They have been heavily linked with a move for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson and have reportedly already had a huge bid rejected. Should Rodri leave, they will need him even further and he could form a midfield duo with Nico O'Reilly, whose future surely lies in the midfield rather than at left-back given his ability in tight areas.
The front four for Man City looked potent towards the end of last term and it shouldn't be changed: Erling Haaland, Jérémy Doku, Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki. Then at centre-back, it's time for the new guard. Marc Guéhi has proven his quality since making the move to the Etihad in January. As has youngster Abdukodir Khusanov this season - he can blossom next term with another year's Premier League experience under his belt.
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