Man City Must Prepare for Successor, Says Guardiola

Background

Manchester City

manager Pep Guardiola has emphasized the importance of preparing for his eventual departure from the club. As the team continues to perform well in the Premier League, with a two-point gap behind leaders Arsenal, Guardiola has expressed his commitment to the club, but also acknowledged the inevitability of change.

Guardiola’s Comments

In a recent interview, Guardiola stated that he will not be at Manchester City forever, but has not ruled out the possibility of extending his contract beyond its current expiration date of 2026-27. When asked if he will see out the remaining 18 months of his contract, Guardiola replied, “I am so delighted and have been. This question happens every single season, I am OK. The club and myself are well connected and the decision we have to take, what is going to happen will happen.”

Succession Planning

Manchester City has reportedly begun the process of identifying potential successors to Guardiola, with at least two candidates already being considered. The club’s sporting director, Hugo Viana, is playing a key role in compiling the shortlist of managers in the event of Guardiola departing.

Maresca’s Denial

Chelsea

manager Enzo Maresca, who was previously an assistant to Guardiola at Manchester City, has denied rumors linking him with a potential move to the Etihad Stadium. Maresca stated that the reports are “100% speculation” and that his focus is on Chelsea, where he has a contract until 2029.

Chelsea Uncertainty

The rift between Maresca and his superiors at Chelsea continues to cause tension, with Maresca’s original comments sparking talk of a rift between the manager and controlling owner Behdad Eghbali, along with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.

Conclusion

As Manchester City continues to perform well in the Premier League, the uncertainty surrounding Guardiola’s future has put the club’s due diligence into sharper focus. With succession planning already underway, the club is preparing for the eventual departure of its highly successful manager.

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