It is something no Manchester City wants to think about, but sadly in the next couple of years it’s a subject that will become unavoidable – who will replace Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium?
The Spaniard arrived at the club in 2016 and has done truly special things at the club.
After taking one season to work things out and make changes, Guardiola has dominated English football.
He’s now being talked about as potentially the greatest manager the game has ever seen.
When he finishes at City, there will surely be no doubts about that.
And when he does finish at City, it is going to be an extremely daunting task for whoever comes in next.
Potential Guardiola replacements was a topic of conversation in a recent video by ESPN FC, and former City defender Nedum Onuoha offered two names who could be in the frame.
Nedum Onuoha names two managers who may be suited to succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City
It will be a fascinating moment in the club’s history when Guardiola’s successor at the Etihad is confirmed.
The individual chosen will have so much pressure and expectation to deal with.
Some have pointed to Vincent Kompany as a potential next man in charge. At this point, it is widely expected that he will get a chance at some point in the future.
The former City skipper is a club legend, and has seriously caught the eye with what he has done at Burnley already.
But Onuoha reckons there’s a couple of others who could be considered before the Belgian.
He said: “Not Kompany, too early, no. I’m going to say Xavi, or Xabi Alonso. And I think Kompany comes after that.”
Xavi, a former player of Guardiola of course, is the current manager of Barcelona.
And ex-Liverpool midfielder Alonso is the head coach at Bayer Leverkusen, where he’s been in charge since October 2022. He guided Leverkusen to a sixth-placed finish, and the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Xavi will surely be a top contender to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City
These are some interesting suggestions from Onuoha about Guardiola’s replacement at City.
City fans have been treated to some mesmerising football over the past seven years.
The City board will surely want to hire someone who can keep that style in place at the Etihad.
Xavi was managed by Guardiola and will already have a strong grasp of his fellow countryman’s style and tactical approach.
We have already seen the impact he’s had at Barca. The Catalan giants won the league and couple double last season, playing some great stuff along the way while also being defensively strong.
He could well be a potential successor to Pep, but of course, a lot could happen and change when the times comes for Pep to leave.
