Manchester City have turned their attention to a new manager to replace Pep Guardiola if necessary, following the news that Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim is expected to take over at Old Trafford.
Guardiola currently has less than a year left on his Manchester City contract, after making the move to the Premier League from Bayern Munich in 2016.
Despite the Spaniard's contract running so low, it is understood that the City hierarchy remains optimistic that a renewal will happen before the end of the season.
Guardiola was reportedly England's top target to replace Gareth Southgate, however, the 53-year-old turned down the FA's approach.
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“It's not true that I'll be the England coach. I haven't decided anything yet, if I had decided my future at Manchester City I would say so, anything can happen in life," he told reporters.
However, as long as the contract isn't signed City have to be prepared to lose their key man, and the expected appointment of Amorim at United certainly comes as a blow.
Amorim had been heavily linked to City in recent months, but according to a report from the Daily Mail, the club are adamant they weren't lining the Sporting coach up to replace Guardiola.
The report claims City are now exploring a new option for Guardiola's successor, with Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso now entering the frame.
Alonso quite controversially missed out on the Manager of the Year award at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris on Monday, as Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti took home the prize.
The Spaniard's Leverkusen side won the Bundesliga last season unbeaten, and only lost their unbeaten status in all competitions in the Europa League final.
Alonso was highly tipped to replace Jurgen Klopp and make the move to Liverpool over the summer, however, given his success in Germany he opted to commit his immediate future to Leverkusen.
Topics:Â Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Ruben Amorim, Xabi Alonso, Manchester United, Premier League, Bundesliga
Tom Jenkins