Mikel Arteta and Enzo Maresca have been told not to expect to take over at Manchester City once legendary manager Pep Guardiola steps down. Guardiola appears to be coming to the end of his long and successful reign at the Etihad Stadium and reports say he is likely to leave the club at the end of the season.

City’s slump is set against the backdrop of Guardiola’s unresolved future. He is in the final year of his contract and it was widely expected within the club during the summer that he would leave in 2025, alongside director of football Txiki Begiristain, whose departure, and the arrival of Hugo Viana as his replacement, was confirmed in October.

Manchester City lost their fourth game in a row for the first time since Spanish manager Pep Guardiola was appointed in the summer 2016. The English giants lost 2-1 against Brighton despite scoring the opening goal via Erling Haaland,