It is not a surprise questions are being asked about the stability of Manuel Pellegrini’s job after a disappointing season; the rumour mill has been linking City with various managers to possibly replace Pellegrini in the summer. So here are five possible candidates that we might see at the Etihad next season:
Pep Guardiola
The Spaniard’s contract at Bayern Munich runs out in 2016, and he has stated that he wants to fulfil his contract. Guardiola has shown in the past that he enjoys a challenge; his ‘projects’ have seen him re-shape teams and that has led to great success. Guardiola’s Barca team had been completely remodelled. This Barcelona revolution saw Guardiola off-load ageing players like Ronaldinho and Deco; this shows his philosphy comes before anything else. You can see similarities in the Barcelona squad of ’08 and the City’s current squad: ageing players that are not performing to the levels as they once were. So in Guardiola’s eyes coming to manage City could be seen as a project. There is no question that Guardiola could produce new talent in the City squad; the man is mainly responsible for producing three time Balon d’Or winner Lionel Messi. It will be a hard task to pull Guardiola away from the Allianz Arena but it is time for a true managing great to take the helm at City.
Jurgen Klopp
Even though City have told the press that they are not interested in appointing Jurgen Klopp, he can’t be dismissed as a potential candidate. One trait Klopp has shown at Dortmund is to nurture young players and produce world class talents. The like of Reus, Gotze and Lewandowski have been managed and developed by Klopp. This trait is vital for City, with players like Zuculini, Lopes and Rekik returning from their loan spells in the summer, and they will be looking to kick-start their City careers. With Klopp announcing he will be leaving this summer this could also mean a few players might follow him, meaning that Klopp could bring talented individuals like Hummels or Reus with him to his new club. Fans might be put off from signing Klopp after seeing him leave Dortmund after a season that has seen them fall from grace and it can also be argued that it is his fault for putting them in such a low position. But Klopp has lead them to a Champions League final and created a team that competed fiercely with arguably one of the best teams in the world, Bayern Munich. Reports have shown that it is unlikely Klopp would replace Pellegrini but he would be a great asset in City’s arsenal.
Diego Simeone
This appointment looks unlikely after Simeone signed a new contract with Atleti just a few weeks ago but the contract renewal could be seen as a way of Atleti cashing in on Simeone when City come knocking. Atelti’s La Liga title looks like it is slipping out of their hands this season and like Pellegrini, Simeone has failed to emulate the success his side experienced last season. Simeone’s style is different to the style City play, and he seems to not favour the type of football played Real and Barcelona. He prefers hard working, passionate play. With a City side that has seen big players not turn up when needed most and Pellegrini’s tactics being ineffective, Simeone’s style could work very well in Manchester. When Simeone was linked with the United job last year after David Moyes’ departure critics picked up on his inability to speak English but with the past managers they have had translators to assist them. The Argentine could bring a new aspect to City’s way of playing that could set them back in the right direction next season.
Carlo Ancelotti
The former Chelsea boss has been heavily linked with City recently. Ancelotti’s recent record of signings is fantastic, yet unfortunately players have probably been more attracted to the white of Los Blancos than to play under Ancelotti. But Ancelotti has shown his eye for talent and he could be the right man to oversee the new faces that are bound to flood in this summer. It is likely Ancelotti will also be departing his club in the summer so he has been viewed as a prime candidate for the City job. Ancelotti’s right hand man Paul Clement has followed him from Chelsea to Real Madrid, so this could mean that a highly talented assistant manager could be joining the ranks at City, but Clement has been linked with multiple Premier League clubs in recent weeks. Ancelotti’s class and extensive knowledge of the game could save City in the difficult times.
Patrick Vieira
Seeing Vieira coach the EDS side does seem wrong, with him being one of the best midfielders of all time and a true football icon. With Pellegrini’s sacking on the cards this could see Vieira make the step up to the first team, after making City’s EDS side a force not only in their domestic league but in European competitions, which is a great achievement. He has also helped develop local lad Brandon Barker, a player City fans would love to make a name for himself at the club. With a manager Barker knows well in the first team, it would only make this process easier for him. Vieira has also supervised the growth of multiple talents in the EDS sides; he could be the man to bring them through and refresh City’s first team.
