Reports are that Manuel Pellegrini has voiced his intention to leave the club for new challenges after the 2009-2010 season. Of course, other reports suggest that things are still up in the air.
He will be missed if the reports of him leaving are true, but if he is going to leave, I cannot imagine a better way for him to do it. That allows the club to spend an entire year choosing his successor, rather than going after the closest available coach if Pellegrini split suddenly.