Guardiola: City Must Prepare for a Post-Guardiola Era

City are looking ahead to life beyond Pep Guardiola, quietly assembling a list of potential successors as the manager's future remains unsettled. Guardiola signed a fresh contract to stay until the end of the 2026-27 season, but he has repeatedly stressed that plans will unfold in time.

Guardiola's view on staying or moving on

The 54-year-old said he does not expect to coach forever and that decisions about the future will come when the moment is right. He noted that 18 months is a long enough horizon to shape expectations, and that football can change quickly, so plans must adapt.

Link to a City exit and Maresca's response

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, who previously worked as Guardiola's assistant at City, dismissed links to Manchester City's job as pure speculation. He emphasised his commitment to Chelsea through 2029, with an option to extend, and said there is little value in discussing other roles at the moment.

Chelsea context and upcoming fixtures

Maresca's comments followed a period of tension, though he later stressed unity within the club. Chelsea sit fourth in the Premier League and are preparing for a league clash with Newcastle. There were injuries to forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian, with hopes they can return for the match against Aston Villa on December 27.

City's succession planning in focus

City's sporting director Hugo Viana is leading the due diligence, with at least two candidates on a shortlist should Guardiola depart. While no names are confirmed, preparations are already underway, and a final decision is not expected until late in the season.

Expert perspective

Expert note: A senior football writer says it is common for top clubs to have potential successors in mind and to conduct due diligence during a manager's tenure. City's approach shows proactive planning for a possible leadership change.

Summary

Guardiola extended his contract to 2026-27, but his longer-term future remains a topic of discussion. City is quietly preparing for a transition by identifying possible successors while Guardiola focuses on the present. Maresca insists rumors linking him to City are unfounded and remains focused on Chelsea's campaign.

Key insight: Top clubs routinely prepare for leadership changes by keeping a shortlist of potential successors, ensuring a smooth transition if a manager moves on. Source: BBC Sport

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