Manchester City has already begun preparing for the post-Pep Guardiola era, amid speculation that the Spanish coach will leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the current season.
Guardiola took over at City in 2016, leading the English club to complete domestic dominance, as well as their first-ever Champions League title.
According to The Telegraph, Guardiola is seriously considering leaving City at the end of this season, especially since he has clearly lost control over the last two years.
There is a shortlist of three names from which Manchester City’s management will choose one to take over Guardiola’s legacy starting next season.
Enzo Maresca, the former Chelsea manager, tops this list, especially given his extensive experience in the Premier League and his familiarity with how things work at City after working for years as Guardiola’s assistant.
The second name that greatly impresses City’s management is Cesc Fabregas, the architect of Como’s revolution in Serie A, although acquiring him will require considerable effort.
Surprisingly, the third name on City’s shortlist is former Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, who is still highly regarded within the English club’s offices despite his unsuccessful stint at the Santiago Bernabéu.
City’s management is now awaiting Guardiola’s final decision regarding his departure next June, after which they will work to bring in one of the three players, with a clear preference for the tactician to remain in his role until the end of his contract in the summer of 2027.
