There’s a new frontrunner emerging as a possible successor to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, as speculation continues to swirl around the future of the highly successful head coach.
Guardiola’s current contract with the Premier League champions is set to expire at the end of this season, and although he’s been coy about his long-term plans, the uncertainty has led to a flurry of rumors about who might step into his shoes.
Since taking the reins at Man City in 2016, Guardiola has transformed English football and solidified his reputation as one of the world’s elite managers. However, he’s remained tight-lipped when asked directly about what comes next, recently stating: “I love Italy but I really enjoy being here. I love English football. It is fantastic. I really enjoy it. They leave you alone to get on with your job. That doesn’t happen anywhere else. This is a great club. I really feel good here. I am pleased to be here.”
While Guardiola’s words suggest he’s content, the uncertainty surrounding his future has sparked intense speculation. The impending departure of City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, at the end of the season has only added fuel to the fire, with some wondering if this could prompt Guardiola to leave as well.
However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has poured cold water on this idea, stating that “Begiristain leaving doesn’t mean that Guardiola is also leaving.”
Romano continued, “Some fans have also asked me what this all means for Guardiola’s future, but my information is that Begiristain leaving doesn’t mean that Guardiola is also leaving. The feeling inside City is that they are confident of keeping Guardiola at least for one more season – the final approval, the final decision will be from Pep himself, but my information remains that the change in director doesn’t mean that the manager will also be leaving.”
Romano’s comments suggest that while Guardiola is taking his time to assess his options, the club remains optimistic about his staying on, even with Begiristain’s upcoming departure.
Despite this, a report out of Spain claims that Guardiola is already considering his next challenge, with Manchester City making contingency plans. The club is reportedly drawing up a list of possible replacements, including Girona’s Michel, Luis Enrique, and Ruben Amorim.
While Michel, the Girona coach, was initially seen as the favorite to replace Guardiola, the situation has shifted. According to the report, “At first, the favourite to succeed him was Michel… However, with the departure of Txiki Begiristain, the situation has changed and the profile of other coaches has gained weight.”
Luis Enrique’s name has been floated as a strong candidate, thanks to his possession-based, attacking style of play, which would align well with City’s philosophy. However, the report claims that the real wildcard in the race is Ruben Amorim, the young and highly-rated Portuguese coach currently at Sporting CP.
Amorim has caught the eye of Hugo Viana, Sporting’s sporting director, who is set to take over the same role at Manchester City next season. With Viana reportedly a strong admirer of Amorim’s work, the Sporting boss has surged ahead in the running for the City job.
“Amorim, one of Europe’s most promising young managers, has shown his ability to manage a high-level dressing room, and his relationship with Viana could be key to his arrival in Manchester,” the report concludes.
As City looks toward the future, it appears the club is carefully considering its next move, whether Guardiola stays or decides it’s time to take on a new challenge.
