Pep Guardiola is rumoured to be ready to leave Manchester City next summer as some candidates have surfaced as replacements, including Roberto De Zerbi.
According to Fichajes, Manchester City could begin their ploy to find a suitable replacement for Pep Guardiola if the Catalan coach ends up leaving the club. There are some high-profile candidates the club are looking at closely, including Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi.
Pep Guardiola had a difficult season with Manchester City, which ended with him experiencing his first campaign without any trophies. The term ended with the club losing the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace, which brought some key questions about his immediate future at the Etihad.
There were rumours they were looking at Cesc Fabregas if Guardiola left during the summer, but the former Barcelona manager was willing to stay put and continue his project at Manchester City. Then, the team did not have a good start to the season, which placed the Catalan boss under the scanner once again. But since then, he has turned things around in a massive way.
While Manchester City look to be back to their usual best, fresh rumours are circulating over Guardiola’s future, with suggestions that he could leave at the end of the current season. Hence, Manchester City are on alert to find a suitable replacement if their current coach ends up leaving and have drawn up a high-profile shortlist of sorts.
The list includes 46-year-old Marseille manager Robert De Zerbi, with Manchester City valuing his experience in the Premier League and overall style of play as a major factor. The others on the list include former club skipper and current Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany, as well as Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.
De Zerbi is a firm candidate to replace Pep Guardiola
Roberto De Zerbi did attract interest from Manchester United earlier when Ruben Amorim’s position was under scrutiny, and the Italian tactician could make his return to England at some stage. Taking up the reins at Manchester City would be a dream for any manager, let alone the Marseille boss.
He could be an option for Manchester City to consider, although there are no indications that they view him as the firm favourite to replace Guardiola. Any movement will depend on whether Guardiola is firm in his choice to leave coaching Manchester City at the end of the season, as those rumours could yet turn out to be rumours.