Top five managers who could replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City this summer

The Manchester club are looking for a potential successor to Guardiola.

Once the season comes to an end, Pep Guardiola is going to think about his long-term future at Manchester City. The manager’s deal will expire next season.

Despite a year left on his contract, questions about his future have grown. When Pep Guardiola does conclude his illustrious tenure, former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is apparently one of those who has been courted as a possible replacement. Here, we examine five potential replacements for Pep Guardiola at City.

Managers who could replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in the summer

Rank	Manager
5	Cesc Fabregas
4	Luis Enrique
3	Xabi Alonso
2	Vincent Kompany
1	Enzo Maresca

5. Cesc Fabregas

Growing up, Cesc Fàbregas looked up to Pep Guardiola as a player. This explains the FC Barcelona academy graduate’s intense desire to leave Arsenal and return to his childhood club during Guardiola’s final season in the Camp Nou dugout. As well as why he wore the No. 4 shirt throughout his career.

Under Fabregas, Como’s impressive ascent in Serie A has been supported by an appealing, possession-focused style that showcases the individual talent of the team’s stars, each of whom must execute an aggressive press. Fàbregas has gained a ton of followers and points thanks to this impressive strategy. The lakeside minnows are vying to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time.

4. Luis Enrique

The most successful coach on this list is Luis Enrique. In 2008, the 55-year-old took over as manager of Barcelona B, marking the first time in his career that he had succeeded Guardiola.

Last season, Enrique was the coach who ultimately guided PSG to their maiden Champions League title. His contract is set to expire in 2027, the same as Pep Guardiola’s. However, there have been rumours of an extension.

3. Xabi Alonso

After leaving Real Madrid in January, the former Liverpool midfielder is unemployed. Alonso’s coaching skills were shown throughout his tenure at Bayer Leverkusen.

Guardiola signed Alonso for Bayern Munich in 2014, bringing him to Germany for the first time. Before being hired by Leverkusen in 2022, the 44-year-old worked as a junior coach for a number of years after retiring from playing. Alonso won the 2024 DFB-Pokal in addition to leading the team to their first-ever Bundesliga title in his second season while going undefeated.

2. Vincent Kompany

Now a successful manager, Kompany is a real Manchester City legend. When the former Burnley manager took over from Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich in 2024, many were taken aback. But the Belgian succeeded and won the Bundesliga the previous season.

Towards the end of his City career, Kompany spent three seasons playing under Pep Guardiola. He would probably be happy to return to the team in the future. But in October, the Bayern manager agreed to a contract extension till 2029.

1. Enzo Maresca

During his tenure at Stamford Bridge, the former Chelsea manager was connected to the Man City position. After leaving the West London team in January, the Italian coach is still unemployed.

Towards the end of his Chelsea tenure, he was considered for the City position and reportedly had discussions with the team. The 46-year-old is presently seen by bookmakers as Guardiola’s successor. Enzo Maresca previously worked with City twice, first as a manager of the Elite Development team and then again in 2022 as a first-team assistant.

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