Five possible managers who could replace Pep Guardiola in Man City as he is set to leave in 2025.

It has been reported that Pep Guardiola will resign as the manager of Manchester City in 2025, following a tenure of nine years at the Etihad Stadium.

While no official confirmation has been made at this time, the Daily Mail reported on Sunday that Pep Guardiola is “certain to depart” Manchester City at the conclusion of the following season.

Guardiola has twelve months remaining on his contract, and according to credible sources, that month will reportedly be his last, despite the Blues’ desire for him to remain.

Supporters have long anticipated this news, considering Guardiola’s remarkable achievements, dominance, and success with the blue side of Manchester.

The club is facing a critical decision regarding the replacement of one of its all-time greatest managers, and Manchester City News writers have identified potential candidates for the position.

Michel – Girona
City supporters are confronted with the daunting prospect of life after Guardiola, and some are optimistic that a household name will succeed him.

However, an individual who has yet to attain an immense reputation but is nonetheless deserving of the club’s attention is Miguel Angel Sanchez Munoz, more commonly referred to as Michel, who accomplished noteworthy feats with Girona in 2023/24.

Michel defied the odds to propel Girona, which is owned by City Football Group, to an astounding third place in La Liga. Furthermore, the club will make its inaugural appearance in the Champions League in 2024/25.

Four of his players were selected to the Team of the Season, and he ultimately defeated Carlo Ancelotti to be named La Liga Coach of the Year.

Hudl, a reputable performance analysis website, has characterized the Spaniard’s football approach as “exciting, entertaining, and tactically sophisticated,” implying that he might be a suitable substitute for Pep.

Additionally, he is comparable to Pep in that he has the ability to become quite animated during the touchline. Although it would be a significant improvement for Michel, city officials may be willing to take a risk on him nonetheless.

City supporters may exhibit a greater degree of tolerance towards a young and burgeoning coach such as Michel, as opposed to an established and seasoned coach who would be anticipated to produce results promptly.

Vincent Kompany – Bayern Munich
The task of replacing Guardiola will rank among the most formidable that a manager may encounter.

Nevertheless, Vincent Kompany’s affiliation with the club and its supporters may afford him a greater likelihood of achievement compared to his counterparts. Or, at the very least, he would be granted more forbearance.

Burnley were relegated in his rookie season of the Premier League, but his distinctive football style has not gone unnoticed; he has since been recruited by German powerhouses Bayern Munich.

The former City captain, whose style of play he has undoubtedly refined under Guardiola, could be the ideal candidate to steer the club in a similar but new direction following the departure of the current manager.

Guardiola concurs, as he has stated on multiple occasions that Kompany will eventually be in charge of the club.

He stated in March 2023: “Perhaps he disagrees with me, but after observing his teams today, I am beyond certain he will return.

“When? Although I expressed my emotions several weeks ago, I am uncertain about this particular aspect. However, it is certain to transpire.”

Whether that occurs immediately following Guardiola’s departure remains to be seen. At this time, it is safe to state that a significant number of City personnel and supporters will be observing Kompany’s performance as Bayern’s manager.

Mikel Arteta – Arsenal
Evidently, the most straightforward course of action is to consider Mikel Arteta for the position of city manager; therefore, it is not entirely illogical to consider him.

Arteta, who spent years learning directly from Guardiola, has since demonstrated his ability to lead a massive squad under immense pressure while substantially improving them through the application of sound principles; he also possesses an alluring playing style.

His Arsenal squad were stride-for-stride comparable to City’s squad from the previous season and lost the championship by a mere one point. Only Jurgen Klopp has accomplished this since the inaugural season of Guardiola’s leadership.

Arteta is a confirmed Premier League talent who is already acquainted with the club; removing him from the Gunners would further the cause of a principal rival being derailed. In fact, it makes quite a bit of sense.

Julian Nagelsmann – Germany
Although Julian Nagelsmann’s contract as Germany manager does not expire until 2026, the Mail included him on a list of potential Guardiola replacements.

Similar to Guardiola, the German manager is among the most tactically adaptable in all of football.

By frequently forming formations with five attacking players, Nagelsmann employs an alluring style of football that emphasizes possession dominance and numerical advantage.

Given his notable achievements at Leipzig and Bayern, in addition to the stylistic parallels with Guardiola, he could potentially emerge as a shrewd successor to the Catalan.

Xabi Alonso – Bayer Leverkusen
Similar to Nagelsmann, Xabi Alonso is considered a possible heir to Guardiola’s throne at Manchester City, according to the Daily Mail’s earlier report.

The young manager in question is arguably the best in all of international football.

Alonso, who has achieved legendary status at Bayer Leverkusen, has demonstrated his prowess as a manager and master tactician capable of unilaterally altering the ethos of a club, much like Guardiola.

It is quite an accomplishment to improve a club that was commonly referred to as “Neverkusen” and help them produce one of their finest seasons in recent memory.

Alonso’s emphasis on maintaining a stable defensive structure, as evidenced by his front five, while maintaining five defenders on the offensive, exemplifies the equilibrium of his system.

Alonso’s prowess in mentoring young players, including Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, further establishes their indistinguishable parallels with Guardiola.

It would be risky to appoint Alonso as manager due to his lack of experience at the highest level, but he already possesses every quality of an exceptional manager.