Manchester City’s two-year ban from European football has, inevitably, led to speculation Pep Guardiola could opt to end his tenure at the end of the season.
The Catalan coach has previously stated he intends to honour his current contract, and potentially stick around for longer, but however speculation is mounting over who could be City’s next manager.
In the Athletic, current Nice manager Patrick Vieira has been linked with Man City:
It is fair, however, to say that Vieira is still on City’s radar at a time when (Ferran) Soriano and Txiki Begiristain, the club’s director of football, are already looking at potential replacements and concluded a while back — a line that has never been reported before — that there will be only three to six managers in the world who could follow Guardiola and take on City’s philosophy
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail have tried to convince their readers that Mauricio Pochettino could be Man City’s next manager.
How have the Mail reached this conclusion? Because Pochettino recently watched Arsenal U23s take on their City counterparts:
An interested observer at the recent Arsenal v Manchester City Under 23 game at the Emirates was none other than former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, who took in the action with sidekick Jesus Perez and other coaches.
Some of those in attendance wondered if he was watching the future players of his next club, with City known to be long-standing admirers of the Argentine.
A lot can happen between now and then. The club will undoubtedly appeal UEFA’s decision to ban them for two years, but that hasn’t stopped the rumour mill from turning.
Manchester City Fans Reactions
In reaction to the reports, which were relayed by City Chief on Twitter, fans of the club have flocked to have their say on the matter, with many suggesting that former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino would be best suited for the job, while others have questioned whether Guardiola is planning on leaving City in the near future.
📰| Soriano and Txiki are already looking at potential replacements and concluded a while back — a line that has never been reported before — that there will be only three to six managers in the world who could follow Guardiola and take on City’s philosophy.
[The Athletic] pic.twitter.com/Bn3deLvZjz
— City Chief (@City_Chief) March 29, 2020
Poch will be the best replacement
— Mohammad sadaan (@mohammad_sadaan) March 29, 2020
Xavi pleaseee?
— ♧ (@ftbldiaz) March 29, 2020
Poch please
— Gerold (@GeroFreimuth) March 29, 2020
Nagelsman
— peter richards (@lexirichards) March 29, 2020
So guardiola want to leave?
— Mohammad Yousuf Howlader (@Mo9you2how) March 29, 2020
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