Pep Guardiola has had an incredible time as Manchester City manager. In 2016, Guardiola was appointed as manager of the Citizens as he replaced Manuel Pellegrini.
He arrived at the club with a lofty reputation and City hoped that he would help them become the most dominant team in world football. He endured a slow start as City scraped a top four finish and failed to win a trophy in his first season in charge.
The club have enjoyed great success since, though, winning 18 trophies in total. They've been crowned champions of England six times, while they also won the Champions League for the first time in 2023.
However, all good things must come to an end and there is a growing belief that Guardiola will leave the club in the summer. The 55-year-old's contract at City runs until 2027 but it has been suggested he will step down after the 2025/26 season.
Man City Draw Up Manager Shortlist to Replace Pep Guardiola
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks to the sky
According to the Telegraph, City have rubbished claims that Guardiola will depart in the summer, saying they are 'pure speculation'. But, with Guardiola's future uncertain, it has now been reported that City are putting together contingency plans and have started to think about his potential successor. They are starting to compile a shortlist of managers that could replace him and three big names feature.
Xabi Alonso is currently a free agent after departing Real Madrid in January. Alonso emerged as one of the best managers in world football when he led Bayer Leverkusen to an incredible unbeaten season in 2023/24. Los Blancos were ecstatic when they won the race for his signature, but he was fired after just 233 days in charge.
Despite his struggles, Alonso is thought to be a manager that City will 'carefully consider' despite his association with rivals Liverpool.
Xabi Alonso
One of Guardiola's former players, Cesc Fabregas, is also gaining admirers in England for the stellar work he has done with Serie A side, Como.
Enzo Maresca is also highly thought of at City. The 45-year-old was Guardiola's assistant at the Citizens before taking the manager role at Leicester City. The Italian, like Alonso, is currently without a job after departing Chelsea in January.
City’s director of football, Hugo Viana, will be the man primarily tasked with identifying Guardiola’s successor. It is believed that Guardiola could also be asked for his own recommendation.
Pep Guardiola On His Future
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola arrives at the City Ground
Guardiola spoke out about his future as Man City manager in December. He said, per the BBC: "I'm happy here, I want to stay here. What can I say? Always results decide.
"When it is the [end of the] chapter the club will choose the best one to continue this incredible period in Man City. There have been rumours in the last years many, many times but I want to stay here. At the end of the season, we'll see."
He added: "I'm excited because there is a margin to improve, to do it better. That is what I like. Last season was a really, really tough season and I didn't give up and I was there. This season is much better in terms of many things I'm seeing and still I'm here.
"It depends on my feelings and my feeling right now is good. That's why I want to continue. It's going to change? Maybe, I don't know. But what I'm feeling now is not [that]. What I'm feeling now is with the players I want to continue as much, and as long, as possible."