- Manchester City officials, including Hugo Viana, have reportedly identified Enzo Maresca as the leading candidate to succeed Pep Guardiola.
- While Guardiola’s contract officially runs until June 2027, talk of an earlier departure this summer have forced the club into advanced contingency planning.
- The managerial speculation comes as City eye top spot in the Premier League, following a hard-fought title battle that has seen them maintain a chase on Arsenal.
One former Manchester City defender has been unable to put his finger on a potential replacement to Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium, amid uncertainty over the Catalan’s future.
The debate surrounding the post-Guardiola era has accelerated in recent weeks, with various reports indicating that the club has already held multiple meetings with potential successors, including former Chelsea and Leicester head coach Enzo Maresca.
Despite City being in the midst of a historic pursuit for a second domestic Treble – having already secured the Carabao Cup and reached the FA Cup Final against Chelsea – the question of who leads the next step in the club’s growth remains the primary talking point.
The transition is further complicated by the impending departure of several key figures behind the scenes and on the pitch, namely the likes Bernardo Silva and John Stones confirmed to be leaving this summer.
Amidst this backdrop of change, finding a manager with the tactical sophistication to match Pep Guardiola’s 40 career trophies is proving to be a challenge, and perhaps one of the toughest ever seen in the game.
“Obtain someone better”: Hendry on the search for a Guardiola successor
Speaking to 10bet, former Manchester City and Scotland centre-back Colin Hendry was quizzed on who could be the next manager at the Etihad Stadium, should Guardiola leave the club in the coming months.
“There are a lot of good managers out there, though they won’t have the same CV Pep had. I’m sure the hierarchy at City has an idea of who they’d want. I just hope it’s not one of the names that gets banded about every other club,” Hendry said.
He continued, “Looking at the managers Tottenham have had recently, you’d think City could obtain someone better.
“If I were in management circles these days, I’d be over the moon with the payoffs everyone is getting, but I couldn’t say for sure who should take over from Pep.”
Who are the candidates to replace Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager?
Enzo Maresca is the clear favourite to take the role, with the likes of Luis Enrique, Vincent Kompany, and Xabi Alonso following closely behind, although the former pairing seem very content in their existing roles at PSG and Bayern Munich respectively.
Maresca’s knowledge of the Guardiola system from his time as an assistant during the 2023 Treble season makes him the logical continuity candidate, especially after his recent availability following a fallout with the Chelsea hierarchy.
However, some sections of the Manchester City fanbase remain hopeful for a more established, heavy-hitting name to ensure the club’s dominance remains unchallenged, with a further focus on more success in European competition.
Looking ahead, the club is expected to wait until the conclusion of the Premier League season before making any definitive announcements regarding Pep Guardiola’s 2026/27 plans, with a crucial trip to Hill Dickinson Stadium to face Everton the immediate remains on the pitch.
