Pep Guardiola will go down as the greatest manager in Manchester City’s history after finally delivering the club a much-desired UEFA Champions League trophy as part of a sensational treble in 2023. But the uncertainty of what comes next once the Spaniard departs the Etihad is a fear rising within every Cityzen who has watched their team dominate English football over the past decade.

The day of Guardiola’s dreaded announcement arriving on City’s social media may be on the horizon amid a report from The Times suggesting some of his confidants think he could exit as soon as next summer. If he were to bid farewell, it would truly be a new era for the Sky Blues with Hugo Viana driving the recruitment side as new director of football.

Viana will have been a year into his job when he’s tasked with the impossible, which is trying to replace Guardiola, arguably the best tactician the game has ever seen. But the bookmakers (via BetVictor) have already drawn up a 19-man managerial list of potential replacements, including some surprise names and interesting candidates who have yet to taste Premier League management.

19. Gian Piero Gasperini – 25/1

There’s no denying that Gian Piero Gasperini is one of Europe’s most underrated coaches who deserves more recognition for his work at Atlanta in Serie A, guiding the Italians to the Europa League in 2024. He implements a press-heavy playing style that often reaps rewards and also relishes building teams by developing players case in point Ademola Lookman who transformed under his tutelage.

But at 67 years of age, surely Gasperini is a stop-gap option to perhaps continue the rebuild of the Cityzens’ squad before handing over the job to a longer-term candidate. He’s also enjoying himself at AS Roma since taking over at the Stadio Olimpico and his side are in a Serie A title challenge.

18. Eddie Howe – 25/1

If you were to ask most City fans if they would take Eddie Howe as Guardiola’s replacement last season they may well have accepted the Englishman given his incredible revival of Newcastle United. From the looming threat of relegation to Champions League qualification and a Carabao Cup, he became the toast of Tyneside until the ongoing campaign kicked off.

Howe’s Magpies have fallen off a cliff, faltering 11 games into the Premier League season and their manager is under pressure despite delivering a first major trophy in 70 years just nine months ago. But he is proven in the top-flight, which is one box ticked if Viana and his fellow higher-ups want a coach who knows all about the demands of English football.

17. Ernesto Valverde – 25/1

City could be tempted to give another former Barcelona boss a chance to try and somehow continue Guardiola’s success and Ernesto Valverde could be that man. The Spaniard has dealt with high-profile names such as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez and has two La Liga title wins to his name.

That said, there are so many more enticing options for the Sky Blues to turn to and the 61-year-old isn’t exactly at the peak of his managerial powers at the moment. He is currently in charge of Athletic Club who just lost to Howe’s struggling Newcastle in the Champions League, and he’s not viewed among Europe’s elite tacticians.

16. Kieran McKenna – 25/1

We’ve seen several of the Premier League’s big six clubs take a chance on an unproven manager, such as Enzo Maresca at Chelsea and Mikel Arteta at Arsenal. Both of those were members of Guardiola’s backroom staff and Kieran McKenna has similarly worked in such a highly pressurizing environment, having been Jose Mourinho‘s assistant at Manchester United.

There’s no denying the Northern Irish coach’s stock is continuing to grow at Ipswich Town despite their relegation last season. But the 39-year-old would be taking one almighty giant step up the managerial ladder if he were to be named Guardiola’s replacement.

15. Oliver Reiss – 25/1

City could turn to Oliver Reiss who is overseeing the U18s and looks to be one to watch as the German continues his own development as a coach at the club’s youth level. He is aligned to the Guardiola regime’s priniciples while focusing on player development and this could be where he takes the team in a different direction.

Guardiola hasn’t always relied on youth and that came at a cost when Cole Palmer sought more opportunities and headed to Chelsea. He knows the Etihad giants and that knowledge could come in handy, although you’d imagine he’ll need more years in the coaching game and maybe working as an assistant beforehand is a better contingency plan.

14. Stefano Pioli – 25/1

Stefano Pioli is one of only four managers on this list who are currently available after he was sacked by Fiorentina earlier this month following the worst start to a season in the club’s history. This is a non-starter given his struggles in recent times and the uproar amongst fans if City were to make the peculiar appointment couldmake for the type of hailstorm ensuing at neighbours United.

On the positive side, he wouldn’t cost a penny if he were to remain out of a job by next summer and Guardiola needed to be replaced. He can boast one Serie A title win back in 2022, but that’s as far as his achievements go.

13. Sebastian Hoeness – 25/1

One of Europe’s brightest coaches is Sebastian Hoeness, whose transformation of Stuttgart has earned him huge plaudits in his homeland. The 43-year-old dragged the German outfit out of relegation and secured Champions League qualification with a second-place finish in the Bundesliga.

Hoeness could be a good fit due to his attacking philosophy and track record of player development, but making the move to the Premier League, especially to succeed Guardiola, is a massive ask. He’s an outsider but should be on most top European club’s watchlist as the years go on.

12. Thiago Motta – 25/1

Another manager without a club who makes the bookies’ list of potential Guardiola successors is Thiago Motta, whose time at Juventus was a tumultuous one that has somewhat damaged his reputation. He was one of the most in-demand tacticians in the world after guiding Bologna to the Champions League in 2024.

Motta couldn’t turn the Juve job down once offered the role but his task to improve the Old Lady on the defensive side of their game left them toothless up top. He was dismissed after some grim results and an early Champions League exit, not exactly an enticing spell at the Allianz Stadium and taking the City job as the first post-Guardiola manager is an even more difficult mission.

11. Xavi Hernandez – 25/1

The third candidate who is available to succeed Guardiola is a man he knows very well from his time coaching Barcelona. Xavi is an intriguing option because he may be eased into the role by his former Blaugrana boss. He has spoken in the past about his affection for English football, albeit seeming to lean towards Manchester United out of all the top Premier League clubs.

The Spaniard has tasted elite football management as he coached the Catalans and encountered many highs and lows. His debut season saw him guide his former playing club to the La Liga title but behind-the-scenes issues and dismal showings on the pitch saw him part ways at the end of the 2023-24 campaign despite deciding to stay a month prior.

Xavi grew disillusioned with the hostility at Camp Nou with the club under financial restrictions and there’s still no word on whether City will be hit with such a penalty if found guilty of their alleged 130 breaches of the Premier League’s Financial Fairplay rules. His potential appointment is a massive risk but could pay off.

10. Xabi Alonso – 25/1

Xabi Alonso nearly returned to the Premier League as Jurgen Klopp’s successor before Liverpool opted for Arne Slot and the Spaniard remains up there with the most highly-regarded coaches in Europe. His astonishing feat of overseeing Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten Bundesliga title-winning season makes him an attractive option for any club searching for a new manager.

The only problem is that Alonso is in the most desired job in world football as he’s managing Real Madrid and doing quite the job at the Santiago Bernabeu. His Los Blancos are top of the La Liga table and he’s got Kylian Mbappe firing after a frustrating debut campaign in the Spanish capital.

Alonso is ideal for City if based on his brand of football, but there’s little chance of luring him away from Madrid if he continues to have Florentino Perez’s backing. It’s a possibility further down the line rather than next summer.

9. Julian Nagelsmann – 20/1

Moving up to the 20/1 scene and that takes us to Julian Nagelsmann who is still just 38 years old but is one of the most respected coaches in world football. There’s no doubt Bayern Munich got it wrong when they sacked Nagelsmann back in March 2023 as he delivered a Bundesliga title which they surrendered under Thomas Tuchel the following season.

Nagelsmann is a clever tactician whose work in propelling RB Leipzig into one of German football’s top sides saw him put his name up in lights before his Bayern stint. The German FA pounced once he became available in 2023, and he’s found success rebuilding one of international football’s fallen giants.

The most expensive manager in history has a contract with Germany’s national team which doesn’t expire until 2028, so City might need to do some convincing to get him and his country to split. But a return to club management might be appealing, as at a young age he may miss the week-to-week it brings.

8. Mikel Arteta – 20/1

City couldn’t could they? Imagine a scenario where Mikel Arteta ends Arsenal’s 22-year wait for Premier League glory but the Cityzens manage to persuade him to return to the Etihad. It seems highly unlikely but stranger things have happened in football.

Guardiola has made it clear that he envisioned Arteta as the man to continue his legacy at the Etihad before the Gunners came calling in late 2019. They remain close friends despite their rivalry in the dugout and the 43-year-old’s experience as a member of Guardiola’s coaching staff before replacing Unai Emery at the Emirates means he has a crucial connection to the club.

Arteta’s current deal with Arsenal expires in 2027, by which he’ll have spent around eight years with the North Londoners and might be interested in taking on a new challenge. But to jump ship especially to one of his current club’s most recent title rivals as early as next summer seems implausible.

7. Roberto De Zerbi – 20/1

There were links in the past that suggested Guardiola had pinpointed Roberto De Zerbi as his ideal successor during his time in charge of Brighton & Hove Albion. He is a fan of the Italian who took the Seagulls into the Europa League and earned major plaudits for the entertaining football played by his team at the Amex.

De Zerbi’s Brighton exit at the end of the 2023-24 season came as a surprise, but it wasn’t long until the 46-year-old was back screaming at his players from the touchline. He took the Marseille job that same summer and while Paris Saint-Germain continue to dominate French football, his Les Phocéens are pushing them closest in the Ligue 1 title race.

With Premier League experience under his belt, he is definitely one who could be in the frame to succeed Guardiola and has the type of personality that resonates with the passionate City fanbase. He’d need to deliver instant success, but supporters could boast about getting the man who was on United’s radar during INEOS’ search for an Erik ten Hag replacement while he was still in the job.

6. Zinedine Zidane – 20/1

It seems destined for Zinedine Zidane to take over the France national team when Didier Deschamps steps down after the 2026 FIFA World Cup next year. The former Real Madrid boss has been waiting in the wings since leaving the Bernabeu hotseat in the summer of 2021.

Zidane is mentioned every time a top Premier League job becomes available, but that’s as far as those links go, because he can’t even speak English fluently. But if it’s a winner that City’s top brass are after, then look no further than ‘Zizou’ who is the only coach in history to win three Champions League trophies in a row.

The 53-year-old worked wonders with a Madrid side brimming with world-class talent as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale thrived under the Frenchman. Do the Cityzens possess such talent for him to replciate the heights of his managerial exploits in Spain? Erling Haaland might be the only one of Guardiola’s current camp who can rival those three at the Ballon d’Or contender table.

5. Luis Enrique – 12/1

Some argue that while Guardiola’s Barca side were the best footballing team in history, Luis Enrique‘s Catalans were more dominant as they put together a higher win percentage in La Liga and scored more goals. That’s a debate for another day, but Enrique at the Etihad screams another lengthy managerial reign if he is allowed to work in a similar fashion to how he has been handed free rein at the Parc des Princes.

Paris Saint-Germain have finally become European champions under his watch and that’s why he isn’t higher up the list because Nasser Al-Khelaifi wouldn’t even pick up the phone. But the Spaniard might be intrigued to give Premier League management a try because he’s taken the Parisians as far as they can go unless he seeks FIFA Club World Cup revenge in four years’ time.

Enrique surely will arrive in England one day and that could be on the blue side of Manchester if the job becomes available. But don’t expect the former Barca boss to part ways next summer as he has a contract which doesn’t expire until the following year.

4. Pep Lijnders – 8/1

Guardiola surprised many in the summer when he appointed Pep Ljinders as his assistant, not least Liverpool fans who watched Jurgen Klopp‘s former right-hand man take a job with one of their rivals. The Dutch coach has tried out senior management but to no avail. In fact, he ultimately failed while in charge of Austrian outfit RB Salzburg.

That brief spell lasted just 28 games and that wouldn’t fill most City supporters with much confidence if he were to succeed Guardiola next summer. But perhaps learning from the Spaniard up close could help him understand what’s required as a first-team coach.

An interim spell makes sense and is perhaps why he is high up this list with the bookies, with those backing him maybe looking at Arteta and Maresca as examples. He does seem to make an excellent assistant and his boss might put in a good word with the higher-ups.

3. Vincent Kompany – 6/1

Bayern Munich were ridiculed for turning to Vincent Kompany as Tuchel’s replacement in July 2024 after he’d just been relegated with Burnley. Those who doubted the appointment have been left with egg on their face as the former City captain has proven to be an instant success, guiding the Bavarians back to the top of German football last season.

Kompany has built on that Bundesliga title win as his Bayern side have put together an unbelievable record of 16 consecutive wins at the start of the ongoing campaign. He’s only suffered nine defeats while steering the German giants’ ship, which looks to be a real candidate for Champions League glory come May next year.

The Belgian is always welcome back at the Etihad and convincing him to return ‘home’ might be an easy ask because of the history he made in Manchester. He relishes a challenge and exceeding the brilliance of his playing days with the Cityzens as their manager might just be too hard to turn down.

2. Andoni Iraola – 7/2

Of all the Premier League managerial candidates to replace Guardiola, it seems Andoni Iraola is the man for the job because he has taken Bournemouth to a level most Cherries fans only dreamed about. What’s most impressive about the Spaniard’s work at the Vitality is his team manages to improve despite losing star players such as Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi.

If City were to come calling, there’s very little chance Iraola declines the call as any Spanish tactician dreams of succeeding Guardiola and trying to showcase their ability to deliver similar success. He’s highly sought after and that might be one of the reasons the Sky Blues reluctantly agreed to end the Guardiola era.

Iraola’s current contract with Bournemouth expires next summer, which only further opens the door for the 43-year-old to arrive at the Etihad with there being no need to pay compensation. He’s most neutral fans’ favourite Premier League manager because he doesn’t just get results he does so with an exciting brand of football.

1. Michel – 3/1

Michel is the frontrunner to replace Guardiola with odds of 3/1 and that will largely stem from his current club Girona being part of the City Football Group. It’s an easy appointment to make on that basis and one that shows ambition while handing the reins to a coach who could join the longest-serving Premier League managerial list in the long run.

The 50-year-old has been praised for overseeing Girona’s rise while implementing a dynamic and attacking style that even saw them put up a La Liga title challenge in the first half of last season. He’s working on a limited budget at the Estadi Montilivi so imagine what he could accomplish with the riches of one of Europe’s powerhouses at his disposal.

Michel shares similar coaching methods to Guardiola and understands the City model, which is key in any decision over who is next in line for the Etihad hotseat. He has been linked with replacing his fellow countryman in the past and taking on a Champions League contender seems next on his agenda.