TalkSPORT’s report arrives at a turbulent moment for Manchester City. The club now brace for the real possibility that Pep Guardiola could walk away from the Etihad Stadium this summer. Although his contract runs until June 2027, speculation has intensified recently. Guardiola himself admitted he plans to stop and focus on his health once his spell with City concludes.
Six managers tipped to succeed Guardiola at Manchester City
The atmosphere around the club shifted noticeably after Real Madrid knocked City out of the Champions League. This marked their fourth such exit against the Spanish giants in five years. Consequently, Director of Football Hugo Viana is already compiling a succession list.
Six names feature prominently on that list. Enzo Maresca, Guardiola’s former assistant, stands out as the clear frontrunner. Guardiola allegedly gave his personal blessing for the Italian to succeed him. In fact, informal talks have already taken place. Chelsea sacked the 46-year-old Maresca in January following a reported breakdown with the club’s hierarchy. This happened despite him winning the Conference League and Club World Cup during his tenure.
Beyond Maresca, the list includes Vincent Kompany at Bayern Munich and Xabi Alonso, who is currently a free agent. PSG’s Luis Enrique, current City assistant Pippo Lijnders, and Cesc Fàbregas also appear. The most eye-catching suggestion involves a former Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim. Given the bitter rivalry between the two clubs, this addition has sparked significant debate.
Is City’s succession plan actually a safe bet?
Conventional wisdom suggests Manchester City should appoint Maresca. As a Guardiola-schooled insider, he offers a smooth transition. However, we must examine that logic closely in March 2026. Fabrizio Romano confirmed this week that City identified Maresca as their leading candidate. Yet, Guardiola still hasn’t made a final decision. He could remain as manager for another full season.
This uncertainty creates a real problem. Maresca is unemployed now. Clubs like Tottenham and Manchester United have already looked for him. Meanwhile, Vincent Kompany recently extended his contract with Bayern Munich until 2029. This makes him far less attainable than the rumours suggest.
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Xabi Alonso, 44, endured a bruising, short-lived tenure at Real Madrid after his golden period at Leverkusen. This actually makes him a more interesting, battle-tested option than his current reputation implies. Luis Enrique, who guided PSG to the Champions League title last season, adds genuine elite pedigree. He arguably represents City’s most ambitious option. The honest read is that City face a fragmented, unpredictable market. Their best candidate may move on before Guardiola actually announces his exit.
