Jamie Carragher claims Pep Guardiola is replicating Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool exit strategy

Many believe we are witnessing Pep Guardiola's final months in charge of Manchester City, meaning Sunday's trip to Anfield could be his last in the Premier League

Jamie Carragher feels Pep Guardiola is replicating Jurgen Klopp's final acts as Liverpool head coach(Image: Getty Images)

Jamie Carragher feels Pep Guardiola’s actions and decision-making at Manchester City are similar to those showcased by Jurgen Klopp during the latter stages of his premiership at Liverpool.

Speculation continues to mount over whether Guardiola will leave City this summer, with reports indicating the club is on the lookout for the Catalan’s long-term successor. After a decade in Manchester, that is a seismic task for City’s leadership group.

It was a similar scenario that faced Liverpool bosses when Klopp left in 2024. On that occasion, the transition between coaches was seamless, with Arne Slot guiding the Reds to a Premier League title in his first season.

Despite his departure, Klopp certainly played his part, particularly given the title-winning midfield of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai was assembled in the German’s final summer at Anfield.

Likewise, the uncertainty surrounding Guardiola’s future has not tempered City’s recruitment drive, as evidenced by the January arrivals of Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo.

For Carragher, he can see the similarities at City, and writing in his Telegraph column, stated, “we are watching Guardiola’s last dance in England”.

Carragher has praised Guardiola's impact in the Premier League(Image: Getty Images)

“The clues are mounting up, pointing to the idea that he will end his Manchester City reign at the end of this season, with succession plans being formulated and his club’s recent transfer activity smacking of his hierarchy doing everything in its power to ensure he leaves with another trophy,” he added.

“City appear to be going out on a limb to make this season successful. Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi are big January deals to deliver right here, right now, which adds to the sense they are in a race against time.

“But he knows his current side has not yet fully matured enough. Like his great Premier League rival Klopp, there is a sense in the last few seasons of Guardiola feeling a responsibility to leave behind a reconstructed side for a successor rather than having his replacement start again.”

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola enjoyed some titanic battles.(Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Should Guardiola move on this summer, it will mean Sunday’s trip to Anfield is his last as City boss.

Carragher believes that Guardiola’s revolutionary approach to tactics offers justification for some of Slot’s recent controversial comments regarding style and trophies.

“There is some irony that Guardiola’s opponent this Sunday, Arne Slot, was criticised this week for saying winning with style is as important for a manager’s legacy as trophies,” wrote the ex-Liverpool defender. “You only need to look at Guardiola’s impact to understand what the Liverpool manager is getting at.”

“Teams and their coaches are judged by their identity more than ever. At the elite level, they must win and deliver entertaining football to thrive and survive.

“City versus Liverpool is the most pure footballing fixture left in the calendar. Future City and Liverpool teams will be defined against the gold standard set, Guardiola having already stated that he will always consider his battles with Klopp as the defining rivalry of his time in England. Winning at a full Anfield has so far eluded him as City coach, so this could be his final attempt.”