Manchester City identify potential Pep Guardiola replacement weeks after high-profile sacking | OneFootball

Xabi Alonso is expected to feature on a three-man shortlist to replace Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager at the end of the season, as per a new report.

Guardiola continues to be linked with a potential exit from the Etihad Stadium this summer, with under 18 months left on the Catalan’s current deal amid Manchester City’s aspirations of winning silverware on multiple fronts in the coming months.

The 54-year-old has denied speculation around a parting of ways with the Blues a year before his contract expires, when Enzo Maresca was being touted as Guardiola’s successor – before the former Manchester City academy coach was relieved of his duties as Chelsea head coach on New Year’s Day.

Manchester City lost further ground in the title race this weekend as a second-half Dominic Solanke brace cancelled goals from Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo, with Arsenal boasting a six point lead at the top of the Premier League ahead of this weekend’s fixtures.

The Blues face Newcastle United in the return leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, with Guardiola expected to shuffle his ranks ahead of Sunday’s monumental battle with Liverpool at Anfield.

However, Guardiola faces greater uncertainty over his future in what remains of the season and as reported by Telegraph Sport’s Matt Law, executives at the Etihad Stadium have identified Xabi Alonso as part of a three-man shortlist to replace Guardiola in the event of a departure at the end of the season.

The report cites a growing sense among Manchester City’s rivals and the Premier League that Guardiola is likely to call it a day at the Etihad Stadium this summer, though the Catalan has repeatedly denied suggestions that he will leave the club in 2026.

Guardiola signed a two-and-a-half year deal in November 2024 but as questions continue to be asked of a new-look Manchester City side’s silverware prospects, with the Blues winning just once in their last six Premier League games.

Sources at the Etihad Stadium, as cited in the article, brushed up suggestions of a premature Guardiola exit as ‘speculation’, though it has not been denied that the club are drawing up a list of replacements for their legendary coach.

Maresca, who conveyed to Chelsea bosses in December that he was having preliminary conversations to replace Guardiola, also features on the shortlist, alongside former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who is currently working as manager of Como.

Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany, despite his history at Manchester City, is not expected to have his head turned by a possible vacancy at the Etihad Stadium come the end of the season, with the Belgian seeing his future in the German capital.

Roberto de Zerbi has attracted interest from the Etihad Stadium in the past but the Italian is not expected to be in the running to replace Guardiola, who will no doubt be frivolously pestered on his future plans for the gazillionth time when he previews the Carabao Cup semi-final return leg against Newcastle United on Tuesday afternoon.