Major report reveals the specific manager Hugo Viana wants to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City

Manchester City’s sporting director, Hugo Viana, reportedly admires German national team coach Julian Nagelsmann. Viana sees him as a top choice to take over from Pep Guardiola. Well-known transfer reporter Graeme Bailey shared this news. He pointed out that City’s top brass are already making plans for when their Catalan manager eventually moves on.

The club are staying quiet and acting calm about the situation for now. However, the fact that Viana likes Nagelsmann so much shows that a real plan is coming together behind the scenes.

This link comes up as more people start to think Guardiola might leave the Etihad Stadium before his contract ends in 2027. This potential early exit means the Premier League giants have to find world-class options right away.

Breaking: Viana Eyes Germany Boss as Potential Guardiola Successor

The situation at Manchester City is still changing fast as of 11 February 2026. Guardiola signed a two-year deal back in November 2024. But people in the industry are whispering that he might actually walk away this summer, a whole year early.

Due to these rumours, the focus has shifted to Nagelsmann. He is only 38 and currently runs the German national team. His tactical style is a lot like Guardiola’s. He favours keeping the ball and pressing hard to get it back.

But the German often plays a more direct, attacking game. Nagelsmann likes flexible setups. He often swaps between a 3-4-2-1 and 4-2-3-1. These systems need players who can think fast and stay sharp.

Is he the right man for the job?

On paper, yes. Nagelsmann is always coming up with new ideas. He can definitely handle the high standards of City’s squad. But his age and the fact that he clashed with some veteran players at Bayern Munich make people wonder. Can he handle a dressing room full of players who have won everything?

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He brings an energy that could give the squad a new spark. Still, following someone as big as Guardiola takes more than just being good at tactics. You need a massive personality. Manchester City would want a manager who is as brilliant as Guardiola but brings a fresh, high-energy style. Nagelsmann is a gamble, but he’s a very exciting one.