Pep Guardiola’s new Man City role has already been revealed ahead of first Etihad Stadium

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COMMENTSPep Guardiola will make a surprise return to Manchester City, just months after stepping down as manager.

Guardiola has largely kept a low profile since leaving Man City at the end of last season. He was heavily linked with an immediate return to management, but turned down the chance to coach the Italian national side.

The Spaniard has also kept his distance from the Etihad Stadium, staying in the background and looking on as Enzo Maresca has overseen eight straight wins across all competitions.

Guardiola did, however, come out in support of his former club last month after Man City were found guilty of breaching the Premier League’s financial rules.

City deny any wrongdoing and have appealed against the verdict.

While Guardiola’s reign overlapped with the period in which City were found to have seriously breached financial regulations, there is no suggestion that he was aware of any wrongdoing during his time at the club.

Guardiola is set to prove Man City is indeed his club by attending first home game since the guilty verdict, which is against Paris Saint-Germain in a mouth-watering Champions League showdown tonight.

Pep GuardiolaPAIt’s unclear as to what City have something planned for Guardiola in what will be the Spaniard’s first return to the Etihad since the final game of the 2025/26 campaign but Maresca is excited to welcome his predecessor back.

“I spoke with Pep, as I said a few days ago, after the [Manchester] United game,” Maresca said in Tuesday’s press conference. “I didn’t speak with him after that. In case he is coming, it is a nice feeling, especially for him, it has been his house for 10 years.

“It is still his house for what he has done here, I think it is exciting for everyone.”

When Guardiola confirmed he would be stepping down as Man City manager, it was also announced that he would take up a role as Manchester City Global Ambassador.

An official Man City statement revealed the Catalan “will continue his relationship with the City Football Group, by taking up a role as a Global Ambassador.

“The role will see him giving technical advice to the clubs in the group, working on specific projects and collaborations”.

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Guardiola arrived at the Etihad Stadium in July 2016 and left having won 20 major trophies, including an FA Cup and Carabao Cup double last season.