Ederson seems confident that Manchester City already has Pep Guardiola‘s successor lined up.
As Guardiola’s contract with the club approaches its end this season, questions about his future loom large. The 53-year-old mastermind, who has steered City to six Premier League titles, is facing uncertainty not only about his own role but also about the departure of Txiki Begiristain, City’s director of football, at the end of the campaign.
While City has already secured Hugo Viana from Sporting CP to take over Begiristain’s role, Ederson believes that the club has also prepared for life after Guardiola should the legendary manager choose not to extend his contract.
“City is a very well-structured club, well-managed, great directors, great CEO,” Ederson told TNT Sports Brazil.
When asked about Guardiola’s potential departure, Ederson hinted that the club already has someone in mind for the role. “I believe the club already has the next manager in mind … the day Pep decides to leave, they will try to follow the same line of work,” he said.
While Guardiola’s exit would certainly leave a void, Ederson expressed confidence in City’s ability to move forward: “Of course it’d be a great loss. We’re talking about the best manager in the world, but I see a really well-prepared club for the post-Pep era.”
Interestingly, Guardiola had recently been informally approached by the Football Association before they ultimately chose to appoint Thomas Tuchel as England’s new manager. However, Guardiola has remained tight-lipped about his plans.
Speaking on the Italian chat show Che Tempo Che Fa last weekend, he remarked, “If I had decided something, I would say so. Anything is possible.” But he quickly followed up by assuring fans that no final decision has been made yet: “That’s not true. In the sense that I have to think about it.”
With the future uncertain, City’s preparations for what comes next seem to be well underway. Whether Guardiola stays or goes, the club is determined to stay on course.
