Manchester City endured one of the most turbulent 24-hour periods in the club's recent history, surrendering the Premier League title while facing the near-certain departure of manager Pep Guardiola.

The storm began Monday night when reports emerged of Guardiola's impending exit, before City's 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Tuesday sealed the matter on the pitch — handing Arsenal the title with four points clear and one game remaining, ending the Gunners' 22-year wait to be crowned champions of England.

Guardiola's parting words

Guardiola, speaking to Sky Sports, declined to confirm his future, insisting the first conversation must be with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak once the season concludes. "I have one more year of contract," the Spaniard said. "I will not tell you here because I have to talk with my chairman, with my players, with my staff."

The 55-year-old, who guided City to both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup this season, added that announcing decisions mid-campaign has historically produced "a bad, bad result" and promised clarity after his side's final fixture — a home meeting with Aston Villa on Sunday.

Despite the bittersweet circumstances, Guardiola was generous toward his successor as title-winner. "On behalf of Man City, congratulations to Arsenal, Mikel and all the backroom staff on the Premier League that they deserve," he said, referring to former City assistant Mikel Arteta, who claimed the club's first title since Arsene Wenger's 'Invincibles' of 2004. Arsenal also face Paris St-Germain in the Champions League final on 30 May.

The end of a defining era

Since replacing Manuel Pellegrini in 2016, Guardiola transformed City into one of the dominant forces in world football. Under his stewardship, the club became the first top-flight side to accumulate 100 points in a season, the first English team to claim four successive league titles, and completed a historic Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League Treble in 2023 — which Guardiola himself has described as his greatest achievement at the club.

Yet the title has escaped City for a second consecutive season, something that has never happened before across Guardiola's glittering career at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and City. A turning point came 15 days ago at Everton, where City dropped two points in a 3-3 draw that Arsenal rapidly capitalised upon.

Former City defender Nedum Onuoha told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Pep Guardiola's DNA has spread to other teams as well. Pep at Man City will be remembered as an icon. The success that came at this time came when it was very competitive in the league. There is a huge void, but then huge potential."

Maresca poised to take the reins

Enzo Maresca, another disciple of Guardiola's coaching school, is understood to be the chosen successor, with talks between the two parties at an advanced stage. The 46-year-old Italian served as Guardiola's assistant during the 2023 Treble season before going on to manage Leicester City and Chelsea. Former goalkeeper Willy Caballero, who worked under Maresca at both clubs, is expected to join him at Etihad Stadium.

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton was candid about the scale of the challenge on BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's impossible to come in and make the impact which Pep Guardiola has had, not just at Manchester City, but in the Premier League as a whole. He has been phenomenal."

A summer of upheaval

Maresca will inherit a squad refreshed by 11 new signings across the past three transfer windows, yet significant changes loom. Bernardo Silva departs this summer alongside England defender John Stones, while Dutch centre-back Nathan Ake is out of contract. Goalkeeper James Trafford, Rico Lewis, Mateo Kovacic, Omar Marmoush, and Nico Gonzalez are also among those whose futures remain uncertain.

Former City keeper Shay Given sounded a cautious note, referencing the chaos that engulfed Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013: "I believe there is going to be a huge void when Pep Guardiola leaves the football club. The handover won't be as volatile as Manchester United, but it is easier said than done."

The outcome of City's 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules also remains unresolved — an added cloud hanging over what is already shaping up to be a defining summer at the Etihad.