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Although Pep Guardiola signed a contract extension in November 2024 that ties him to Manchester City until the summer of 2027, persistent rumblings suggest the Catalan tactician could depart before fulfilling the full term of his deal.
The 54-year-old has repeatedly been asked about his future in recent months, with reports emerging in December 2025 that City have already begun identifying potential successors.
Guardiola himself has fueled the speculation with candid admissions like “I won’t be here forever” and acknowledging that the club “must be prepared” for his eventual departure. In May 2025, he went further, stating to ESPN Brasil: “After my contract with City, I’m going to stop. I am sure. I don’t know if I’m going to retire, but I’m going to take a break”.
While Guardiola maintains he is “happy” and “excited” about the squad’s development and has 18 months remaining on his deal, the uncertainty has prompted City’s sporting director Hugo Viana to quietly work on succession planning.
And one name will be familiar to Liverpool fans in Xabi Alonso, with reliable reporters Duncan Castle’s reporting on the Transfers Podcast that the Spaniard is a option for the Manchester club:
“Xabi Alonso has been identified by various top Premier League clubs as a managerial target for some time.”
“He has been included on Manchester City’s list as potential replacements for Pep Guardiola.”
“As we saw upon Enzo Maresca’s sacking, he had informed Chelsea of his conversations with Manchester City to be a replacement for Guardiola.”
“Guardiola has a contract until 2027, but City have been preparing for years for the point where he decides he’s had enough and wants to move on – probably national team management.”
“Xabi Alonso has struggled to consistently win in the Spanish capital, to the point where Real Madrid might part with him.”
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