Xabi Alonso has reportedly set a high-stakes demand if he is to take over as Manchester City’s next manager, with the Spanish coach eyeing a €100 million signing as a crucial “condition” for replacing Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.
Guardiola, while addressing the media on Friday, made it clear that he hasn’t made any final decisions about his future at the club. He acknowledged, however, that a part of him would feel incomplete once sporting director Txiki Begiristain departs next summer. “I have to decide,” Guardiola said. “I don’t want to talk about it. I’ve said that many times, and hopefully all of you won’t ask me anymore. I didn’t take a decision already. When I take it, I will inform you, for sure, 100 percent.”
Speaking on Begiristain’s upcoming departure, Guardiola became reflective, saying, “Part of me is leaving, I would say. A friend of mine and one of the architects of one of the best teams ever from Barcelona, and now here. I’ve known about his decision for a long time, and I know how grateful he is for the experience here. Personally, he will be missed a lot.”
Despite Begiristain’s impending exit, Guardiola expressed confidence in the club’s structure: “The club is so solid, incredibly well structured. All families have to move on, and the club will move on.”
Guardiola’s future, meanwhile, continues to attract widespread attention. With Saudi Pro League clubs reportedly circling and Brazil said to have made a “most tempting” offer, the Catalan coach is faced with decisions that could shape his next career steps. Still, Guardiola has promised not to keep Manchester City in suspense for too long, and he confirmed on Friday that he would weigh in on his potential successor.
“Of course, with the relationship I have, if they ask me I will give my opinion, but it is not my job,” Guardiola stated. “The decision will be taken by them, not by me. It belongs to the club. I would give my opinion as a friend, but it has to be the club’s choice.”
Rumors are swirling in Spain that Xabi Alonso, currently at the helm of Bayer Leverkusen, has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Guardiola. However, Alonso is said to have one major condition before taking on the City job: he wants his prized midfielder, Florian Wirtz, to come with him. Wirtz, a 22-year-old talent, has already been linked to City as a possible successor to Kevin De Bruyne, who may be heading for a Saudi move at season’s end.
According to reports, Alonso has made it clear that Wirtz would be the key to his potential success at City. He has asked the Manchester City board to “do everything possible” to secure the German playmaker, seeing him as the ideal player to command City’s midfield in the Premier League.
