Five Pep Guardiola replacements Man City could eye as boss set to decide on his future

Pep Guardiola is reportedly set to consider his long-term future at Manchester City after the Carabao Cup final with five potential successors identified

Pep Guardiola is reportedly set to contemplate his long-term future at Manchester City following the upcoming Carabao Cup final this weekend. The Blues will face off against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium in a bid for silverware on Sunday.

This crucial match comes hot on the heels of City's Champions League exit, having been defeated 5-1 on aggregate by Real Madrid in the round of 16. Guardiola's team suffered a 3-0 loss at the Bernabeu last week and were dealt a further blow when Bernardo Silva was sent off early in the return leg at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola reportedly plans to take some time out immediately after the Carabao Cup final to consider what's best for both him and the club. The 55-year-old's current contract extends until 2027, following an extension signed in November 2024.

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Despite the length of his contract, speculation about Guardiola's future has been rife. Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is among those rumoured to be in the running as a potential successor when Guardiola eventually steps down. The Manchester Evening News takes a look at five managers who could potentially replace him.

Enzo Maresca

The former Chelsea manager was linked with the City job during his tenure at Stamford Bridge. The Italian is currently without a club after parting ways with the west London side in January.

During his 18-month tenure, Maresca secured the Europa Conference League and Club World Cup with Chelsea. Maresca has had two previous stints with City, first overseeing the Elite Development squad and subsequently returning as a first-team assistant in 2022.

He was linked with the City position towards the conclusion of his Chelsea tenure and is understood to have held discussions with the club. The 46-year-old is presently regarded as the bookmakers' frontrunner to take over from Guardiola.

Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique is the most decorated manager on this list. The 55-year-old has already followed in Guardiola's footsteps once during his career, when he took over from him as Barcelona B boss in 2008.

Following periods at Roma and Celta Vigo, Enrique became the first-team manager at the Camp Nou and guided the Catalan side to two La Liga titles and Champions League success in 2015. Two periods in charge of Spain followed but it is his achievements at Paris Saint-Germain that are currently earning recognition.

Enrique was the manager who eventually delivered PSG a Champions League trophy last season. Like Guardiola, his contract is set to expire in 2027, though there have been suggestions of a potential extension.

Xabi Alonso

The former Liverpool midfielder is currently available after leaving Real Madrid in January. Alonso's earlier achievements at Bayer Leverkusen showcased his managerial credentials. Guardiola initially brought Alonso to Germany when he signed him for Bayern Munich in 2014.

Following his retirement from playing, the 44-year-old spent several years coaching youth teams before taking charge at Leverkusen in 2022. During his second campaign, Alonso guided the club to their maiden Bundesliga championship, going undefeated throughout the league season, whilst also securing the 2024 DFB-Pokal.

Vincent Kompany

A City icon, Kompany is now thriving in management. Questions were asked when the former Burnley manager replaced Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich in 2024, though the Belgian rose to the challenge, claiming the Bundesliga last term.

Kompany featured under Guardiola for three seasons during the latter stages of his City playing days and would probably embrace a sentimental return to the club at some point. Nevertheless, the Bayern manager penned a contract extension until 2029 in October.

Pep Lijnders

An unconventional choice for City. The former Liverpool assistant joined Guardiola's backroom team in June 2025. Lijnders collaborated with Jurgen Klopp throughout much of his spell at Anfield.

He has previously held two managerial positions with NEC Nijmegen and Red Bull Salzburg, respectively. The blueprint for Guardiola being replaced by his assistant was established by the late Tito Vilanova at Barcelona in 2012.