Manchester City have received a stark warning about the potentially damaging impact of Pep Guardiola's eventual departure from the club, with former defender Danny Mills describing the succession as a potential 'lose-lose situation'.
The Ferguson Comparison: A Cautionary Tale
Mills has drawn direct parallels between the challenge facing City and the decline Manchester United experienced after Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. Despite Ferguson bowing out after securing a final Premier League title, his exit triggered a dramatic fall from grace for the Red Devils.
United have not won the English top flight since his departure and have failed to mount a serious challenge for the Champions League, illustrating the immense void left by a legendary manager.
The Scale of the Guardiola Challenge
Guardiola, who is under contract at the Etihad until 2027, will have completed a decade at the club before the start of the next season. While the Spaniard has suggested he could remain until 2035, club executives are acutely aware that his historic reign will conclude one day.
"It's going to be very difficult to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City," Mills stated in an interview with BetWright. He emphasised that Guardiola has instilled a unique style of play and coaching philosophy that has become deeply embedded at the club over nearly ten years.
The former City full-back highlighted the fundamental choice the club's owners will face: whether to persist with Guardiola's distinct footballing identity or pivot to a completely different, perhaps more pragmatic, 'win at all costs' mentality.
A Managerial Conundrum and a 'Lose-Lose' Succession
Mills also pointed out that the pool of potential successors has shrunk, noting that Mikel Arteta would have been a prime candidate before his successful project at Arsenal made that move impossible.
The timing of Guardiola's exit and the availability of a suitable replacement will be critical. However, Mills believes the role may not be as desirable as it seems, creating a major problem for the club.
"I don't think the managerial role will be in high demand - it could be considered as a lose-lose situation for whoever succeeds Pep," he warned. He compared the scenario to David Moyes's impossible task of replicating Sir Alex Ferguson's success at Manchester United, where sky-high expectations crushed the new appointment.
"It's highly unlikely that anyone will be able to better Pep's achievements," Mills concluded, underscoring the immense difficulty that awaits both the club and the individual brave enough to follow in Guardiola's footsteps.
