Published by dr talal osman
Pep Guardiola said last Friday that Manchester City “must be prepared” to plan for the period after his departure, stressing that he “will not be here forever.” The Spanish coach (54) has reshaped the landscape of English football during his nine years in the Premier League, winning the league title six times, in addition to lifting the UEFA Champions League, according to the BBC.
But the day will come when Guardiola decides to draw the curtain on his time at City — a decision that would leave players, technical and administrative staff, and fans alike without the services of one of the greatest managers in the history of the game.
No one knows exactly when Guardiola will step aside, or whether he will see out the remaining 18 months of his current contract. However, indications suggest that Manchester City’s hierarchy has already begun the process of identifying potential successors. At least two names have reportedly been identified so far, though no official confirmation has been made.
The BBC highlights a group of names that could enter the frame to take charge at the Etihad Stadium when Guardiola eventually departs.
Manchester City’s sporting director, Hugo Viana, is likely to lead the search for the next manager — an immensely difficult task given the challenge of following in the footsteps of Guardiola, the architect of the club’s golden era.
The club may start by looking within the Premier League, where several prominent names are capable of stepping up to one of the biggest coaching roles in world football.
At the top of that list is Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, who last week described reports linking him with Manchester City as “100 per cent speculation.” The Italian coach has enjoyed success at Stamford Bridge, winning the Club World Cup, but has been candid in recent weeks about feeling a lack of sufficient backing from senior management and his need to sign more experienced players.
Maresca also has strong ties with decision-makers at the Etihad, having worked as Guardiola’s assistant during the 2022–2023 season.
City could also consider other names within England. Unai Emery has done outstanding work at Aston Villa, guiding the club from the brink of relegation back into European competition and even into the title race this season, sitting just three points behind leaders Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Andoni Iraola has attracted growing interest after leading unfancied Bournemouth to a ninth-place finish last season.
Austrian coach Oliver Glasner, whose contract with Crystal Palace expires this summer, delivered a major shock by defeating Manchester City in last season’s FA Cup final.
The name of Eddie Howe cannot be overlooked either, after he ended Newcastle United’s long wait for silverware by winning the EFL Cup last season.
On the European front, several high-profile names could be on City’s radar, with Spanish coaches particularly prominent.
Luis Enrique, Guardiola’s former Barcelona teammate, achieved his greatest feat with Paris Saint-Germain last season by leading them to Champions League glory and completing a historic treble. However, his appointment could revive a complicated relationship with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was deemed surplus to requirements and sold to Manchester City on the final day of the transfer window.
Xabi Alonso enjoyed major success at Bayer Leverkusen, wresting the Bundesliga title from perennial champions Bayern Munich, but he is currently under pressure at Real Madrid — a situation that could affect his managerial standing. Alonso played under Guardiola at Bayern, and City’s manager has recently expressed his “great love” for him and for the period they worked together.
Current Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany would be a popular choice among City fans. As captain, he led the team on the pitch and helped secure four Premier League titles during his 11 years in Manchester. Kompany has strongly rebuilt his reputation after suffering relegation with Burnley, winning the Bundesliga last season and currently leading the table by nine points.
Zinedine Zidane, meanwhile, has been without a job for four years since leaving Real Madrid, amid questions over whether he is waiting for the opportunity to coach the French national team.
Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi, who previously worked in England with Brighton, is doing impressive work with Marseille, but questions remain over whether his intense style aligns with City’s boardroom philosophy.
Julian Nagelsmann is just 38 years old, but his future could come under scrutiny if Germany fail to perform well at the World Cup. Former Manchester City and Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann has said the German coach “would certainly be an option,” noting that Guardiola “holds Nagelsmann in high regard.”
Dutchman Pep Lijnders, former assistant to Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool, currently serves as Guardiola’s right-hand man, but he has endured two unsuccessful spells as a head coach: with NEC in 2018 and Red Bull Salzburg last year.
Lijnders managed only 51 matches across both stints, recording a win rate of 47 per cent, making an immediate leap to the top job at City a significant gamble. The same could apply to Under-18s coach Oliver Reiss, who took charge in 2024 and led the team to 21 consecutive wins, culminating in the Northern Premier League title for that age group.
Mikel Arteta took on his first managerial role at Arsenal after working as Guardiola’s assistant and won the FA Cup in his debut season. Another Spanish coach familiar to City’s leadership, Arteta has transformed Arsenal into genuine title contenders, finishing second in each of the past three seasons. This year, City are chasing the “Gunners” closely — so will Arteta finally end Arsenal’s long wait for the league title, or will City and Guardiola continue their dominance?
The German coach Jürgen Klopp has been involved in unforgettable battles with Guardiola, with the City manager admitting that Klopp pushed him to his absolute limits in the role. Klopp currently holds a senior position within the Red Bull group, but the question remains: would he resist the temptation if Manchester City were to call one day?
