Pep Guardiola's Future at Manchester City Under Scrutiny
Pep Guardiola, the esteemed manager of Manchester City, is reportedly poised to deliberate on his long-term future with the club following the imminent Carabao Cup final. This pivotal match sees City clash with Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, a contest that arrives swiftly after City's elimination from the Champions League by Real Madrid, with a 5-1 aggregate defeat. The team faced a 3-0 loss at the Bernabeu and further adversity when Bernardo Silva received an early red card in the return leg at the Etihad Stadium.
According to The Daily Mail, Guardiola plans to take a brief hiatus immediately after the Carabao Cup final to assess what aligns best for both himself and Manchester City. Despite his current contract extending until 2027, secured via an extension in November 2024, speculation about his tenure has intensified. Among the names floated as potential successors is former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who has been courted for the role. Here, we explore five managers who could step in to replace Guardiola when he eventually concludes his legendary reign.
Enzo Maresca: The Front-Runner for the Role
Enzo Maresca, the former Chelsea boss, has been linked to the Manchester City position since his time at Stamford Bridge. Currently without a managerial role after departing Chelsea in January, the Italian boasts a notable record, having won the Europa Conference League and Club World Cup during his 18-month stint. Maresca has prior connections to City, having managed the Elite Development team and later serving as a first-team assistant in 2022. Reports indicate he held discussions with the club towards the end of his Chelsea tenure, and at 46, he is considered the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Guardiola.
Luis Enrique: A Proven Track Record
Luis Enrique stands out as the most accomplished coach on this list, having previously succeeded Guardiola as Barcelona B manager in 2008. With experience at Roma and Celta Vigo, he led Barcelona's first team to two La Liga titles and Champions League victory in 2015. Following two spells with the Spanish national team, his current work at Paris Saint-Germain has garnered acclaim, notably guiding PSG to a Champions League trophy last season. Like Guardiola, his contract runs until 2027, though extensions have been rumoured.
Xabi Alonso: From Player to Promising Manager
Xabi Alonso, the former Liverpool midfielder, is currently available after parting ways with Real Madrid in January. His coaching prowess was evident during his tenure at Bayer Leverkusen, where he led the club to their first-ever Bundesliga title in an unbeaten campaign and secured the 2024 DFB-Pokal. Guardiola initially brought Alonso to Germany by signing him for Bayern Munich in 2014, and upon retirement, Alonso honed his skills as a youth coach before his managerial breakthrough.
Vincent Kompany: A City Legend in Management
Vincent Kompany, a Manchester City icon, has transitioned successfully into management, currently excelling at Bayern Munich after replacing Thomas Tuchel in 2024. Despite initial scepticism, Kompany won the Bundesliga last term and signed a contract extension until 2029 in October. Having played under Guardiola for three seasons at City, an emotional return to the club could be a future possibility, though his current commitments may delay such a move.
Pep Lijnders: An Unconventional Choice
Pep Lijnders represents a left-field option, having joined Guardiola's coaching staff in June 2025 after working alongside Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. With prior managerial experience at NEC Nijmegen and Red Bull Salzburg, Lijnders could follow the precedent set by Tito Vilanova, who succeeded Guardiola at Barcelona in 2012. His intimate knowledge of Guardiola's methods might make him a viable candidate for the role.
As the Carabao Cup final approaches, all eyes are on Guardiola's decision, which could reshape Manchester City's future. The club's hierarchy is likely monitoring these potential successors closely, ensuring a smooth transition whenever Guardiola decides to step down.
