- Pep Guardiola is entering the final year of his contract.
- He has been linked with an exit this summer.
- The club are considering a number of options to replace him.
Manchester City have several leading candidates to replace Pep Guardiola if the manager chooses to leave the club over the summer.
The 55-year-old has been in charge for ten incredibly successful years, but it has been reported that Guardiola will step down at the end of the current campaign.
Although this is yet to be confirmed, City have already been sounding out possible replacements and assessing their options if they do need to find a new manager.
Many names have been suggested, but here’s a look at who we think the top three candidates are to replace Pep Guardiola if he leaves this summer.
The top three Pep Guardiola replacement options
Among those linked to the Man City job are the likes of Germany manager Julien Nagelsmann, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, and former Premier League midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
However, while all three are worth considering, the managers listed below are who we feel would be the strongest options to take charge at the Etihad Stadium.
Vincent Kompany
The most natural fit of any manager listed, City legend Vincent Kompany would be a superb appointment. Former Belgium defender Kompany played 360 times for the Sky Blues in a glittering career, captaining the side to numerous trophies.
Since retiring, the 39-year-old has guided Burnley to promotion from the Championship, and now manages German giants Bayern Munich.
Kompany’s Bayern are top of the Bundesliga, and hold a 2-1 aggregate lead over Real Madrid after their Champions League quarter-final first leg victory.
"Most importantly, we stayed dangerous" 🗣️
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 8, 2026
Vincent Kompany on Bayern Munich's 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League 🏆 pic.twitter.com/MSu8eK6KzF
Luring Kompany away from the Bavarian outfit may be difficult, but a romantic homecoming to a club where he is hailed as an all-time great may be too hard to turn down.
Enzo Maresca
Next up, ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is a realistic option that should not be hard to persuade, given he is currently out of work. The Italian left Stamford Bridge in January after a public fall-out with the club’s owners.
His tactics and methods have been compared to Guardiola’s, who Maresca worked under previously at City as an assistant coach.
Another manager with ties to the club and a familiarity towards the current system, he could make for a smart appointment if the reports of Guardiola’s exit are true.
Xabi Alonso
And finally, ex-Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso is the third serious contender for the job, in our opinion. The Spaniard is also available currently after parting ways with Los Blancos in January.
Multiple Champions League winner Alonso enjoyed an illustrious playing career with Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. He was also part of the iconic Spanish side that won back-to-back European championships either side of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
🚨🚨| JUST IN: Xabi Alonso is a contender to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City if he steps down at the end of the season.
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) April 7, 2026
[@alex_crook] pic.twitter.com/7LZfxhOJAL
As a manager, he guided underdogs Bayer Leverkusen to a first-ever Bundesliga title, and oversaw a European record streak of 49 games without defeat in all competitions.
He has been linked with a return to Liverpool if incumbent boss Arne Slot is sacked, but Alonso would be a superb option for City if he does not go back to Anfield.
Pep Guardiola can still achieve a fairytail ending
It remains to be seen whether this will be Guardiola’s last season as City manager. Whenever he steps down, the six-time Premier League-winning coach will leave an incredible legacy.
But having looked well off the pace earlier this season, City could still win a treble. City have already won the Carabao Cup, beating Arsenal 2-0 in last month’s final.
🏆 Your #CarabaoCup winners for 2026 – @ManCity! 👏#EFL | #CarabaoCupFinal
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) March 22, 2026
They have reached an eighth successive FA Cup semi-final after last weekend’s 4-0 victory against Liverpool. Plus, with eight games to play, there is all to play for in the Premier League.
Man City trail leaders Arsenal by nine points, but have a game in hand over the Gunners, and play them in a fortnight.
Winning what at one stage looked to be a near-impossible seventh title would be a fitting farewell for Guardiola, and leave the side in a great position for whoever comes in to replace him.
