Man City are 'seriously considering' standout candidate as Pep Guardiola replacement

At this current stage, Manchester City are only 'seriously considering' one potential candidate to replace Pep Guardiola, according to a new report.

City made history on the final day of the season by clinching an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title.

It was the 17th major trophy of Guardiola's triumphant reign at the Etihad – a feat that extended his record as the club's most successful manager ever.

The Spaniard, who was confirmed as City boss ahead of the 2016/17 season, reached 300 Premier League games in charge in May.

But after lifting another piece of silverware last month, Guardiola dropped a bombshell about his future.

“The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying," he told Sky Sports.

"We have talked with the club - my feeling is that I want to stay now. I will stay next season and during the season we will talk. But eight or nine years - we will see.”

Guardiola's contract with City expires at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, meaning the club may have to prepare for his exit in the coming weeks and months.

With that in mind, City are reportedly keen on one candidate in particular as questions over Guardiola's future remain.

Football Transfers claim Xabi Alonso is seen as the 'ideal successor' to Guardiola as they believe the former Real Madrid and Liverpool midfielder can 'continue his legacy'.

In fact, the City hierarchy 'unanimously' agree that Alonso is the right man for the job – and he is currently the only candidate they are 'seriously considering' at this moment in time.

Since taking over at Bayer Leverkusen in October 2022, Alonso has transformed the German side into serial winners.

In fact, Leverkusen became the first team to complete an entire Bundesliga season without defeat last season as they set a European record of 51 games in a row without loss.

Image credit: Getty

Guardiola, meanwhile, is set to honour his contract at Manchester City.

Speaking in his post-match press conference after the final day win over West Ham, the Spaniard opened up about his current frame of mind.

He said: "Last year, after Istanbul, I said 'it's over, there's nothing left'. But I have a contract and I start to think 'no-one has done four in a row, why don't we try?' And now I feel it's done, so what next?

"Now I don't know what exactly the motivation is because it's difficult to find it when everything is done. The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying.

"We've had discussions with the club my feeling right now is that I want to stay. I'm going to stay next season and during the season we will chat. But another eight or nine years we'll see."