Nóng: Manchester City's three pillars set to depart in summer 2026

Manchester City confronts the prospect of losing three crucial individuals: Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, and Rodri, by season's end, initiating a significant overhaul of the team's framework.

Manchester City's dominant reign in England is now threatened with dissolution following shocking reports that the "power trio"—Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, and Rodri—plan to leave Etihad Stadium.

According to sources from Fichajes, this is not merely a routine personnel reshuffle but the end of a golden era, plunging the Manchester club into an unprecedented institutional crisis.

The primary reason behind Pep Guardiola's decision is believed to be psychological fatigue after years of maintaining an unrealistically high standard of excellence. The Catalan strategist feels his time in Manchester has reached saturation, especially after realizing the difficulty of reigniting his players' competitive drive following the historic treble.

Painful setbacks against Real Madrid in the Champions League and a nine-point gap behind Arsenal in the domestic league this season have been the final straw, confirming that the current squad has drifted from its peak period.

Currently, Manchester City's leadership has begun searching for successors, with Enzo Maresca emerging as the top candidate to inherit the winning legacy left by Pep.

Concerns mount as Manchester City's midfield—the team's heart—is poised to lose two irreplaceable assets. Bernardo Silva is said to have decided not to extend his contract in pursuit of new challenges outside England after having savored ample glory.

Meanwhile, the "sweeper" Rodri has also expressed his intention to return to his homeland, Spain to join Real Madrid, a destination so enticing that Manchester City appears powerless to retain him. Preparing for the worst-case scenario, the Etihad-based club has started targeting young talent Elliot Anderson as a replacement, though filling the void left by Rodri remains an immense challenge.

The simultaneous departure of Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, and Rodri will trigger major tactical and personnel shifts. Nevertheless, with strong financial resources and a stable management system, Manchester City is still expected to swiftly build a new generation capable of competing both in the Premier League and across Europe.