Wayne Rooney names preferred Manchester City replacement for Pep Guardiola | OneFootball

Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney has named who he would want to come into Manchester City when Pep Guardiola eventually leaves the club.

Speculation around the long-term future of Guardiola continues to intensify, with a growing belief in some quarters that the current season could mark the end of his decade-long reign at Manchester City.

Despite being under contract until the summer of 2027, Guardiola has repeatedly hinted that an extended spell away from management may follow his time in Manchester, prompting widespread discussion about succession plans.

Manchester City’s hierarchy are reportedly preparing for life after Guardiola, with contingency options explored well in advance of any formal decision, and much of that planning is likely to focus on preserving tactical identity and standards established during the most successful era in the club’s history, should a transition become necessary this summer.

Now, speaking on the latest episode of ‘The Wayne Rooney Show’, the former Manchester United striker has responded to who he would want to see come into the Etihad Stadium when the time comes for Pep Guardiola to leave the club – perhaps as soon as this summer.

“If Pep does go, they have to go and get Vincent Kompany,” Rooney said. “He knows the club, he has been successful with Bayern in a similar way. It looks like he has learned from Pep.”

On the process to appoint a new Manchester City manager, Rooney explained his belief that Guardiola will likely be involved in some capacity, as he continued, “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.”

Wayne Rooney’s endorsement of Vincent Kompany reflects the strong emotional and professional ties the Belgian retains with the club, having captained Manchester City during a transformative period before embarking on his own coaching career.

Kompany’s recent success at Bayern Munich has further elevated his reputation as a young manager capable of handling elite-level pressure. However, City are also believed to hold Enzo Maresca in particularly high regard, viewing the former assistant as a natural continuity candidate deeply aligned with the club’s footballing philosophy.

Other admired names mentioned in recent reports include the former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso and Como’s Cesc Fàbregas, though no official shortlist has been confirmed in any media lines.

For now, Pep Guardiola remains undoubtedly fully focused on matters on the pitch at the Etihad Stadium, with a Premier League title chase ongoing up against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal and five points separating the sides ahead of City’s clash with Newcastle at home.