Wayne Rooney drops surprise claim on Pep Guardiola's future at Man City

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has given his verdict on Pep Guardiola's Manchester City future

Wayne Rooney has surprisingly admitted he wants Pep Guardiola to stay at Manchester City beyond the end of the season. The Spaniard signed a new three-year contract at Etihad Stadium in late 2024, but the expectation is he will depart the club 10 years on from taking charge.

Guardiola has shut down questions regarding his future with firm focus on the Premier League title race. However, it remains a topic continually discussed with potential replacements such as Enzo Maresca, Xabi Alonso and Cesc Fabregas mooted.

Rooney is the latest pundit to speak on Guardiola's future, with the United legend making a shock claim given his links to the red side of Manchester.

On the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, he said: "Some players will want him to leave, some will want him to stay, it depends whether you are in the team or not and that is the same for any manager.

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"I hope he stays because he is brilliant for the Premier League and you want the best managers in the Premier League. He has set a benchmark over the past 10 years for everyone else."

Though Maresca and Alonso, with both out of a job, appear to be the leading contenders to replace Guardiola if he does depart, Rooney has recommended a former player.

He added: "If Pep does go, they have to go and get [current Bayern Munich boss] Vincent Kompany. He knows the club, he has been successful with Bayern in a similar way. It looks like he has learned from Pep.

"Pep will probably choose the next manager. If he is going, he will probably be part of the process to choose the next one.

"I just think in terms of Pep, he looks at himself as a bit of a teacher and he has been at the club for 10 years, he will want to leave the club in a good place."

Rooney also provided his verdict on the title race between Arsenal and City after it took a huge twist following the former's draw with Wolves. The 40-year-old has admitted he thinks a potential Champions League scenario could play a big role.

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He said: "I think a big factor will be if Manchester City and Arsenal meet in the Champions League," added Rooney, who was speaking before Arsenal's draw at Wolves.

"The emotions around the League Cup final, the Champions League games, if that is the case, and then the game at the Etihad. The emotion around those games and what that will bring, whoever comes out on top in those I think will win the league.

"I would prefer Arsenal to win it. I played for Manchester United for 13 years! For me, Liverpool are the ones I wouldn't want to win it and then it would be City. I think Arsenal will just win it."