James Trafford plays down concerns over Manchester City life after Pep Guardiola

James Trafford plays down concerns over Manchester City life after Pep Guardiola James Trafford has praised Pep Guardiola’s Man City legacy ahead of Enzo Maresca arrival Goalkeeper struggled for minutes under Guardiola after Etihad Stadium return in 2025 Newcastle, Aston Villa & Tottenham interested in City academy graduate this summer Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford has taken the opportunity to praise Pep Guardiola, while also moving to calm any concerns among supporters over what comes next at the Etihad Stadium. Speaking to reporters prior to England ‘s first game at the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Croatia , Trafford reflected on his time working under Guardiola, before turning his attention to life beyond the Catalan’s decade-long reign in Manchester. The 23-year-old’s words carry some weight given his own uncertain situation between the posts , but his message was one of reassurance rather than concern, insisting that all players will simply adapt to whoever succeeds Guardiola – whenever that appointment is finally confirmed. James Trafford issues new disappointment over Man City return and England place at World Cup Trafford: Everyone moves on at certain points “Everyone knows he was an incredible manager, probably one of the best, if not the best to ever manage,” Trafford said of Guardiola. “Whatever happens next season in terms of the manager, because obviously nothing’s been confirmed, then all the players work under that manager, it’s just how football goes.” Reflecting on Guardiola’s exit specifically, Trafford added: “When Pep left, it was obviously sad, because he’s obviously so successful – and a lot of the new lads, we all really, really enjoyed him. But it’s just football that everyone moves on at certain points.” What does Trafford’s message mean for Manchester City supporters? Trafford’s own situation remains one of the more unresolved inside City’s goalkeeping department, with Gianluigi Donnarumma firmly established as first-choice and a loan or permanent departure widely regarded as the likelier outcome for the Englishman this summer. Still, his comments fit a broader pattern around the Etihad Stadium this off-season, with senior figures across the squad opting to project calm rather than anxiety as the club approaches its first managerial change in over a decade. Enzo Maresca ‘s impeding arrival to the Etihad Stadium remains expected to be finalised before pre-season begins, though City’s hierarchy are still locked in compensation discussions with Chelsea over the Italian’s exit – the very process Trafford appeared to allude to when stressing that nothing has been confirmed. Newcastle reignite transfer interest in Manchester City’s James Trafford Until that situation is resolved, it will fall to senior players to continue setting the tone publicly, even while plenty of individual futures – Trafford’s included – remain just as unsettled.