Manchester City on FM26 - After Guardiola
10 YEARS. 20 TROPHIES. Then Pep Guardiola hands over to Enzo Maresca in June 2026. THE ETIHAD expanding (53,400 → 62,000 seats). 4 consecutive Premier League titles (2021-2024), the 2022-23 Treble. City 2nd in 2025-26 behind Arsenal. The empire exists — but can it SURVIVE WITHOUT PEP?
Why choose Manchester City?
Because Manchester City is THE MOST DOMINANT EMPIRE IN ENGLISH FOOTBALL THIS DECADE. Pep Guardiola: 10 years, 20 trophies. 4 consecutive Premier League titles (2021-2024), the 2022-23 Treble (PL + FA Cup + Champions League). The Etihad Stadium (53,400 seats, expanding to 62,000 with a new north stand) has become a fortress of excellence. But 2025-26 is THE TRANSITION year: Guardiola hands over to Enzo Maresca in June 2026 after an unprecedented 10-year era. De Bruyne left for Naples, Walker to Burnley, Ederson to Fenerbahçe. Bernardo Silva becomes captain. The 115 FFP charges are still ongoing, but the APT rule was declared illegal in September 2025. City finishes 2nd behind Arsenal. In FM26, you arrive at England's best-equipped club — with the pressure of an IMPOSSIBLE succession. Being worthy of Pep — that's the ultimate challenge.
Guardiola's legacy
Colin Bell (the 70s legend), Sergio Agüero (260 goals, all-time record holder), Vincent Kompany — City's history before Pep. Then Pep changed everything: no physically strong players, just players who are collectively INTELLIGENT. Agüero's goal in 2012 against QPR in the 93rd+20 minute remains the most iconic PL moment ever. City had only won one top-flight title in 44 years before the Emirates era. Everything after: yours to write.
Tactics: perpetuate positional play
Maresca arrives from Chelsea with his own ideas but within the Guardiolan inheritance. Positional play is City's DNA — high possession, fluid rotations, coordinated pressing. In FM26, continue in this direction: 4-3-3 or 3-2-4-1 Pep-style with full-backs becoming midfielders in buildup. Bernardo Silva as captain-maestro is your cornerstone.
Objectives: 5th title and beyond
Arsenal broke the streak. Priority: reclaim the Premier League. The Champions League remains the glaring absence (only 1 title). With City's budget and Maresca's new recruits, the ambitions remain INTACT.
City is the EMPIRE. 20 trophies under Guardiola, an expanding stadium, unlimited budget. You want to continue this domination in the post-Pep era? The Etihad awaits. Come on City!