“Pep Guardiola, volem que et quedis”; This has been the reaction from Manchester City fans to the rumors about the possible departure of their coach from Santpedor.
Last weekend, the Sky Blues won at home against Fulham (3-2) in what was an exciting match. However, the most notable image was in the stands, where a clear section displayed a banner with a message written in Catalan. Undoubtedly, these words were directed at their coach, pleading with him in his native language to stay.
This controversy arose from a controversial press conference held by Pep himself, who did not rule out the possibility of leaving at the end of the season: “What has to happen, will happen.”
Following this, alarms went off in the Cityzen offices, which may already be looking for a new figure for their bench next season. Could it be a new Spanish face?
Xabi Alonso, the perfect successor?
The former Real Madrid player was under Pep Guardiola’s management during his time at Bayern Munich, making him one of the coaches the Catalan could name as his perfect successor.
As we all know, the coach from Tolosa dazzled all of Europe last season with Bayer Leverkusen, where he managed to build an unbeaten team in the Bundesliga. Alonso’s team was crowned German champions without a single defeat, and they ended Bayern Munich’s streak of 11 consecutive titles.
His potential, development of young talent, and style of play are strong arguments in favor of his hiring. However, other candidates with similar strengths are also in the running, such as Roberto De Zerbi or Vincent Kompany, a Manchester City legend.
Additionally, the Spanish coach is under contract with Bayer Leverkusen until the summer of 2026. Another factor that could hinder his arrival at Etihad Stadium is Real Madrid’s clear interest, as many see the former white player as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor.
Arteta and Míchel, tied in the betting odds
In recent years, we’ve seen an increasing number of Spanish coaches in the benches of major European leagues. One of the most notable is Mikel Arteta, who is doing an excellent job at Arsenal FC.
The San Sebastián native is already well aware of what it means to be the coach of Manchester City, as he was Pep Guardiola’s right-hand man for many years at the Sky Blues.
After this stint, Arteta returned to the Emirates to restore competitiveness to the Gunners. Under his leadership, the London team has returned to the Champions League after a long absence and has fought for the Premier League title until the very end.
Therefore, Mikel Arteta could be the most sought-after coach among the favorites, but it seems unlikely that Arsenal would let him go easily.
Another candidate to replace Guardiola is Míchel. The current coach of Girona has raised expectations for the Catalan team, taking them from the Second Division to the Champions League in just three years.
Since they belong to the same group, the relationship between Manchester City and Girona is very smooth, making negotiations for his signing much easier than with other competitors. However, the Madrid native’s lack of experience outside of Spain is a significant drawback for his hiring.
The return of Zinedine Zidane?
One of the names being considered by the Skyblue management is that of a football legend, Zinedine Zidane. The French coach is currently free, so there would be no contractual impediment to his hiring, and he could join at any moment.
Zizou has only had two coaching experiences, both with Real Madrid. The hero of the club’s ninth European Cup became a part of Madrid’s history again by being the first coach to win three consecutive Champions League titles (2016, 2017, and 2018).
His special relationship with the Champions League is a significant advantage for his potential arrival at a team eager to dominate Europe with an iron fist. However, Zidane’s appointment could represent a complete break from the playing style established by Guardiola at Manchester City.
Source: Marca
