Pep Guardiola has made it clear that Manchester City must start thinking about life after him. The Spaniard, who has transformed English football since arriving in 2016, says he will not be at the club forever, even though 18 months remain on his current contract.
Guardiola’s eventual departure will leave a huge void. Six Premier League titles, a Champions League and sustained dominance mean his successor will inherit one of the most demanding jobs in world football. While no timeline or shortlist has been confirmed, City are understood to have begun internal discussions.
Premier League contenders
City could look close to home first. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is familiar with the Etihad hierarchy after serving as Guardiola’s assistant in 2022-23. Although he has publicly dismissed links as speculation, his tactical schooling and trophy win at Chelsea place him firmly on the radar.
Unai Emery has rebuilt Aston Villa into a Champions League-calibre side and turned them into genuine title challengers. His European pedigree and experience managing elite squads could appeal to City’s decision-makers.
Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola has impressed with limited resources, while Oliver Glasner, whose Crystal Palace side stunned City in last season’s FA Cup final, is out of contract soon. Eddie Howe, who ended Newcastle’s long trophy drought, also fits the profile of a Premier League-proven leader.
Options from Europe
Looking abroad, Luis Enrique stands out after delivering Paris St-Germain’s first Champions League title. His possession-based style aligns closely with Guardiola’s philosophy, though past tensions with certain City players could complicate matters.
Xabi Alonso, admired by Guardiola himself, enhanced his reputation at Bayer Leverkusen before moving to Real Madrid, where his long-term future remains uncertain. Any availability would immediately interest City.
Few names would resonate more emotionally than Vincent Kompany. The former City captain has rebuilt his managerial standing at Bayern Munich, winning the Bundesliga convincingly. His connection to the club and growing tactical maturity make him a popular choice among supporters.
Other continental options include Roberto de Zerbi, now excelling at Marseille, and Julian Nagelsmann, whose standing may depend on Germany’s next major tournament.
Internal possibilities
City could also look inward. Guardiola’s trusted assistant Pep Lijnders understands the system but has struggled in previous head-coach roles. Youth coach Oliver Reiss, meanwhile, has impressed at academy level, though the leap to first-team football would be enormous.
The wildcard names
Some names would border on the unthinkable. Mikel Arteta, once Guardiola’s assistant, has turned Arsenal into consistent title challengers, but a move from City’s biggest domestic rivals would be seismic.
Then there is Jurgen Klopp. Guardiola has repeatedly praised Klopp as his greatest rival. Now working within the Red Bull group, a move to City seems unlikely — but football history has taught us never to say never.
Whenever Guardiola decides to leave, Manchester City’s next appointment will not just be about winning trophies. It will be about sustaining an era that redefined the Premier League itself.
(According to BBC Sports)
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