Man City legend Vincent Kompany is not expected to be in the running to succeed Pep Guardiola if the Catalan decides to leave the Etihad this summer, according to reports.
The Telegraph claim that the “three-man shortlist” that has been drawn up by Director of Football Hugo Viana includes ex-Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, current Como manager Cesc Fabregas and former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso.
Kompany’s absence from the group of names under consideration will come as a shock to many fans, who thought the Belgian was a natural fit to replace Guardiola, considering his close connections to the club.
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However, it is believed that Bayern Munich expect him to stay after he signed a new four-year contract with the Bundesliga giants in October.
Alonso and Maresca are free agents
Unlike Kompany, two of the names on the club’s shortlist are currently unemployed. Alonso was sacked by Real Madrid last month. He has been linked with replacing Arne Slot at Liverpool, but the Dutchman still has the full backing of the Reds’ upper management.
Maresca, meanwhile, parted ways with Chelsea on New Year’s Day. He had been contacted by City on several occasions in recent months, and that might have contributed to his departure from Stamford Bridge.
Fabregas’s situation is different. The former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder has done a great job at Como. The Italian minnows are currently sitting 6th in the Serie A table.
Is Guardiola expected to leave Man City?
The Telegraph report that there is a “growing belief” the 55-year-old will end his tenure this summer, and they are not the only ones to say that. Trusted journalist David Ornstein has made the same claim.
Of course, that doesn’t guarantee Guardiola will depart the Etihad, but it does look like Viana is planning for the eventuality.
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