Xabi Alonso tipped for Man City job as shortlist revealed with Pep Guardiola's future in doubt | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca also in the running after holding talks

Xabi Alonso and Enzo Maresca are both candidates to replace Pep Guardiola should the long-standing Manchester City boss leave his post this summer, according to reports.

The Spaniard has helmed City since 2016, winning a wealth of silverware in the decade since, but it appears the club are starting to plan for life without him.

A new report in the Daily Telegraph suggests there is a growing expectation that this will be Guardiola’s final season with City, and that the club have drawn up a three-man shortlist to replace him.

Chief among the candidates is Alonso, who was sacked by Real Madrid earlier this month after a doomed six-month tenure, during which he struggled to match Los Blancos’ lofty standards.

He has been widely rumoured to be a candidate to take over from Arne Slot at Liverpool, where he spent several seasons as a player, though the Reds do not presently seem interested in replacing the Dutchman.

Xabi Alonso is admired by Manchester City but could have his head turned by Liverpool

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

He is expected to be a leading candidate should the club opt to dismiss Slot this season, though, with Liverpool’s Champions League qualification expected to be pivotal to his job prospects.

Also tipped to replace Guardiola is Maresca, who parted ways with Chelsea on New Year’s Day after falling out with the club’s hierarchy.

Maresca, who had previously served as one of Guardiola’s assistants at City, held talks over a potential role with the club before he left Chelsea, also speaking with Juventus.

Also reported to be in the running is former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who has been in charge of Serie A outfit Como since 2024.

He has dragged the side to sixth in the table in this, their second season after being promoted to the top flight.

Roberto De Zerbi and Vincent Kompany are both thought to be in the picture, too, but have been discounted.

De Zerbi lost some appeal after failing to qualify Marseille for the Champions League knock-out rounds, while former Man City captain Kompany is not thought to be interested in leaving his current job at Bayern Munich.