Xabi Alonso Emerges as Leading Candidate to Succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City

Manchester City has started planning for a future without Pep Guardiola, whose contract runs until the summer of 2027 but whose departure at the end of the 2025-26 season is increasingly speculated. Guardiola has been at the club since 2016, winning 18 trophies, including six Premier League titles and a Champions League victory, establishing himself as one of the club’s most successful managers.

With the possibility of Guardiola leaving, City management has begun compiling a shortlist of potential successors to ensure a smooth transition. Reports suggest that Xabi Alonso, the former Real Madrid manager, has emerged as the leading candidate. Alonso is currently without a club after his brief tenure at Madrid ended earlier this year.

Alonso is recognized for his tactical intelligence and experience at top European clubs, making him a strong fit to continue Guardiola’s legacy at the Etihad. His ability to implement a possession-based, attacking style aligns closely with the identity City has built under Guardiola.

Other candidates are also under consideration. Enzo Maresca, who previously served on City’s coaching staff and has since impressed with Leicester and Chelsea, is on the shortlist, as is Cesc Fabregas, who has successfully developed Como in recent seasons. Both are seen as capable of maintaining the club’s competitive standards.

As Manchester City prepares for a possible managerial change, the focus will be on identifying a coach who can uphold Guardiola’s philosophy while also bringing fresh ideas to sustain the team’s success in the Premier League and European competitions.