Pep Guardiola is recognised as one of the greatest ever managers in the professional game, making the search for his successor at the Etihad Stadium a stern challenge.And his era in Manchester could s...
Pep Guardiola is recognised as one of the greatest ever managers in the professional game, making the search for his successor at the Etihad Stadium a stern challenge.
And his era in Manchester could soon be coming to an end, with his contract set to expire at the end of the next campaign, but recent reports indicating the real possibility of a break between the two parties this summer.
Guardiola’s impact on English football cannot be understated, having won a remarkable six Premier Leagues, four Carabao Cups, three Community Shields, and two FA cups – all at the time of writing – in nine seasons as Manchester City manager.
But, who could follow in the great Catalan tactician’s footsteps, and live up to the expectations of one of the greatest coaches the professional game has ever witnessed?
Enzo Maresca, out of work
A graduate of Pep Guardiola’s successful ‘coaching academy’, featuring as Under 21’s manager at Manchester City as well as acting as the Catalan’s assistant during the Treble-winning 2022/23 campaign.
The Italian adopts a similar style of football to the legendary Manchester City head coach, despite having rather different player profiles to utilise – and significantly different during his time at Chelsea.
The 45-year-old has accumulated vast experience in English football, managing Leicester City and most recently at Stamford Bridge, where he picked up the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup.
Whilst being instrumental in Manchester City’s illustrious 2022/23 season, the Italian may not have a vast amount of continental experience at the top level, although does hold recognised Premier League experience.
Enzo Maresca also has experience with City directly, understanding the club’s inner working culture, the players, and Pep Guardiola’s tactical style. As such, this could all make his appointment seamless, ensuring that results and expectations remain at a high level.
Vincent Kompany, Bayern Munich
Another successful manager who has worked with Pep Guardiola as a player, a former and legendary Manchester City captain, Vincent Kompany initially developed his trade in coaching whilst at the Etihad Stadium, earning his coaching badges.
Kompany departed Manchester City for a stint in his native Belgium, transferring to RSC Anderlecht for a season before becoming the club’s new manager, to then depart for Burnley in the Championship, and on to Bayern Munich.
Despite signing a new four-year deal as boss at the Bundesliga giants in October 2025, Manchester City’s project could comfortably lure the Belgian away, offering him reigns to a club he adores, having played for the Citizens for over a decade.
The 39-year-old also works in a similar style to Guardiola, opting for a possession-based style to control games, and create openings for chance creation. Kompany also places a heavy emphasis on rotation around the pitch, creating overloads to retain the ball, but also move forward into attacking phases.
Vincent Kompany’s tactical style could comfortably match to Manchester City’s and the Premier League’s current challenges, with intensity being matched alongside technical brilliance.
Despite being young and fairly inexperienced in the top tier of management, Vincent Kompany offers Manchester City a long-term project coach, backed up by his 11-year stay in Manchester as a player.
Luis Enrique, Paris Saint-Germain
A Spaniard, who has conquered both Spanish and French football, Luis Enrique has a vast amount of continental experience, and also understands how to control a footballing giant with experience of managing Barcelona – like Guardiola – as well as Paris Saint-Germain.
Enrique – like Vincent Kompany – strongly favours rotations and fluidity in his sides, particularly evident during the last campaign with the likes of Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes flying forward from full-back positions, as well as Ballon d’or winner Ousmane Dembele thriving in central, wider, and deeper areas.
Luis Enrique can also adapt to different styles of football, having managed in Spain and France, tweaking his tactical mind to optimise player and team performance.
Alongside his esteemed CV, Enrique has also backed his job roles with success, achieving the treble with Barcelona in 2015 and PSG in the previous campaign – a feat Pep Guardiola and the Citizens achieved in 2023.
Ensuring a manager has success will be essential for following in Pep Guardiola’s footsteps at the Etihad Stadium, and building on an exceptional legacy from the now-55 year-old’s reign.
Whilst his record, experience and trophies present him as the most successful option to take over from Pep Guardiola, the knowledge of the English game could be a potential issue for his appointment.
Whilst each of the aforementioned managerial choices offer a different proposition, it is essential that Manchester City replace Pep Guardiola with the right character to fit into the current hierarchical set-up at the club.
A figure will be required who can not only foster a positive culture and create their own legacy alongside the likes of Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Ferran Soriano, and Hugo Viana, but most importantly continue the success that Pep Guardiola has brought to Manchester.
Category: General Sports
