Manchester City line up a three-man shortlist to succeed Pep Guardiola in the event of 2023 departure
A new report reveals that Manchester City has compiled a shortlist of three candidates to replace Pep Guardiola in 2023, should the current head coach decide to leave the club at the end of his contract.
Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager is currently in his seventh season at the Etihad Stadium.
This is now Pep Guardiola’s longest tenure at any club during his incredibly successful managerial career, and many believe that the atmosphere in east Manchester has played a significant role in his happiness.
Guardiola is currently scheduled to leave the club at the conclusion of the current season, although there is a possibility that he will extend his contract.
In fact, a recent report suggested that members of the club’s first-team believe they are working for a manager who does not appear to be leaving the organization, with rumors of a two-year contract extension.
There are those around the #ManCity first team who believe they are working for a manager who does not appear ready to leave the club, with whispers of a two-year contract extension. @ManCity are planning ahead on the assumption that he stays.
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) November 6, 2022
[via @Jack_Gaughan] https://t.co/L4Lb9TtlFk
Despite the evident confidence within the first-team camp, a new report reveals that key members of the operation continue to prepare for the worst case scenario next summer.
According to 90Min, Manchester City’s hierarchy has ‘floated’ a succession plan should Pep Guardiola choose to leave the club at the conclusion of his current contract.
The Catalan manager’s contract expires at the end of the upcoming season, but there is a sense that a decision will be made during the World Cup.
Mikel Arteta, the current manager of Arsenal and a former assistant coach with Manchester City, is reportedly one of the candidates being considered.
The level of Arteta’s accomplishments at the Emirates Stadium are reportedly so impressive that the Spaniard is now considered a “genuine contender” for the top job at Manchester City.
According to 90Min, Julian Nagelsmann of Bayern Munich and Marcelo Gallardo of River Plate are two other players on Manchester City’s radar.
Unsurprisingly, officials at the home of the Premier League champions emphasize that they hope Pep Guardiola will remain at the club beyond the end of this season and that any succession plan will not need to be implemented for “a few more years.”
The current focus of Manchester City and Pep Guardiola in particular is on the task at hand.
Despite their incredible success in domestic competitions, the Premier League giants continue to fight for their first-ever Champions League title.
In the last-16 of Europe’s premier competition, City will face RB Leipzig in two legs to be played in late February and early March.
Manchester City line up a three-man shortlist to succeed Pep Guardiola in the event of 2023 departure
