Who replaces Pep? Man City quietly line up life after Guardiola as names start to circle
Pep Guardiola has opened the door to his Manchester City exit, admitting the club “must be prepared” for the day he walks away – even if nobody knows when that will be. And with 18 months left on his deal, the guessing game has already begun.
The 54-year-old has reshaped English football over nine seasons at the Etihad, lifting six Premier League titles and finally landing the Champions League. He won everything. Changed everything. But Guardiola was clear last week: he won’t be here forever.
City insiders understand groundwork has already started. No panic. No rush. But names has been discussed, with at least two potential successors already identified, though nothing is close to being decided.
Sporting director Hugo Viana will lead the search and it is arguably the hardest managerial job in world football. Follow Guardiola? Good luck.
Looking closer to home, there’s no shortage of Premier League options. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is one. The Italian brushed off reports linking him to City as “100% speculation” last week, but his connection to Guardiola is obvious, having worked under him during City’s treble-winning 2022-23 season.
Unai Emery has worked miracles at Aston Villa, dragging them from relegation worries into European nights and this season’s title race. Villa sit just three points off the top and Emery’s stock is sky-high again. Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola is another admired figure after guiding the Cherries to a surprise ninth-place finish last term.
Elsewhere, Oliver Glasner is out of contract at Crystal Palace this summer and famously stunned City in last season’s FA Cup final. Eddie Howe, meanwhile, ended Newcastle’s trophy drought by lifting the EFL Cup and continues to impress, though prising him away wouldn’t be easy.
From the continent, the list gets louder. Luis Enrique delivered PSG their long-awaited Champions League crown last season, completing a Treble. Another Spaniard, another control freak. Though a reunion with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, sold to City late on, could be awkward.
Xabi Alonso remains highly rated despite his uncertain future at Real Madrid. Guardiola has spoken glowingly about the former midfielder, who learned under him at Bayern. Vincent Kompany would be an emotional pick. A City captain. A title winner. Now flying high at Bayern Munich after rebuilding his reputation post-Burnley.
Zinedine Zidane is still out of work. Roberto De Zerbi is impressing at Marseille after his Brighton spell, though some at City may question the volatility. Julian Nagelsmann, just 38, is another name admired by Guardiola himself, but his Germany future could yet complicate matters.
Could City look within? Pep Lijnders, now Guardiola’s right-hand man, has struggled when flying solo before. Youth coach Oliver Reiss has done brilliant work with the Under-18s, winning 21 straight games, but the step up would be massive.
And then the wildcards. Mikel Arteta? Guardiola’s former assistant has turned Arsenal into serial runners-up and title challengers. Jurgen Klopp? Guardiola’s greatest rival, now working within the Red Bull group. Unlikely. But football has surprised us before.
For now, Guardiola remains in charge and City remain dangerous. But the countdown has quietly started. Whoever follows him won’t just inherit a team – they’ll inherit an era.