Manchester City are planning for life without Pep Guardiola and have earmarked a shock name as his potential replacement.
City head into the new Premier League season without the tag of reigning champions for the first time in four years after Liverpool ended their domestic dominance in Arne Slot’s first season at the club.
Guardiola’s side endured a turbulent season following an injury to star player Rodri, falling to third in the standings behind Liverpool and Arsenal. City were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid and suffered defeat in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.
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Despite their struggles, manager Guardiola ended speculation over his future in November 2024 by penning a two-year contract extension which takes his current deal through to June 2027.
Guardiola admitted he considered quitting at the end of the season but felt it wasn’t the right time to walk away from the club who have dominated English football since his arrival.
Despite his commitment to the club for the next two seasons, City have already started their succession plan and have added a shock name to their shortlist of candidates to replace the legendary Catalan.
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One of the frontrunners for the job is believed to be ex-Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas who is currently manager of Como in Serie A.
As per Football Transfers, there is a growing acceptance at the Etihad Stadium that Guardiola’s time at the club might be drawing to a natural conclusion at the end of his extended deal and a smooth transition to their new manager is desired.
Fabregas is now emerging as a leading candidate after impressing during his first job at Como, he is viewed as a manager that will understand the club’s tactical plans and is well versed in the Premier League after spells with Arsenal and Chelsea.
Furthermore, the ex-Spain international is also a graduate of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy which heavily influenced both the playing styles of Guardiola and his former assistant Mikel Arteta.
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Fabregas guided Como to a 10th placed finish last season and was targeted by beaten Champions League finalists Inter Milan to replace Simone Inzaghi.
The former Barcelona midfielder admitted he remains happy at his current employers and firmly believes in the club’s long-term project.
He said on his future: “I really believe in the Como project.
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“I started with this club because I was thinking about a long-term project. I don’t want to finish my career at a club where there’s a project for one or two years and then everything ends.
“I really believe in Como’s long-term project. I arrived here as a player, and I’m very, very happy because I get to work in the way that I want. We have the same goals and the same ambition.
“The President allows me to work the way I want, the way I see things. Fortunately, we share the same vision and have the same goal, which is to go as far as possible. We’ve become a really good team together, in a small town, in a small club, but with big, very big ambitions for the future.”
Marcus Banks