Premier League and European champions Manchester City are preparing for a possible departure of Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola will enter the last months of his contract with Manchester City next season and it is unclear whether he will sign a new deal or not.
According to Daily Mail, City Football Group, a conglomerate managing Manchester City, Girona, and 11 other Football Clubs, have begun the move to find a successor for Pep Guardiola should the Spaniard decide to take a bow from his role after the 2024/25 season.
In the wake of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s exit announcement in January, Guardiola was asked whether he sees himself towing the same part as Klopp but he replied in the negative, insisting he has the strengths to continue.
He also hinted at possibly renewing his contract when it expires in 2025. Despite the Spaniard’s positive remarks on his Manchester City future, City Football Group are reportedly not putting all their eggs in the basket, as per Guardiola’s future.
The football investors are reportedly scouring the market for a potential successor to take over the Etihad outfit after the 2024/25 season.
According to Relevo, Girona manager Michel Sanchez has been identified as a potential successor to Pep should the Spaniard decide to leave when his contract expires.
The report adds Michel Sanchez emerged as a favorite for the job following his standout and impressive campaign in the LaLiga this season with Girona.
The Spaniard plays an attacking and possessive football as his Manchester City counterpart and has recorded immense breakthrough, leading an average group of players in the Girona squad to challenge for the Champions League spot in the Spanish topflight.
However, despite his gains with Girona, a switch to Etihad to replace Pep Guardiola will be a big shoe for the Spaniard to fill. Guardiola has enjoyed a largely successful eight-year stint with Manchester City, winning six Premier League titles, and one Champions League, and various domestic trophies.
He is en route to making Manchester City the first club in Europe’s top five leagues to win the topflight title four times in the bounce should he clinch this season’s title.
