Has Manchester City’s choice to be Pep Guardiola’s successor now become clear?

One of the biggest stories concerning Manchester City this season is the future of manager Pep Guardiola. The City manager is in the final season of his contract with the club. No decision has been made by Guardiola on whether or not this season will be his last as City manager. But in light of events elsewhere is Manchester City’s choice as a successor to Pep Guardiola becoming clear if he does step down at the end of the season?

Yesterday saw Manchester United sack Erik ten Hag as manager. Mark Brus has relayed a report from Rob Dawson for CaughtOffside that United are in talks with Sporting manager Ruben Amorim to take over as manager. Furthermore, Brus reports that Amorim isn’t considered a contender for the Manchester City manager job. The report from Mark Brus echoes that of respected reporter Jack Gaughan. Gaughan also reported via X that Amorim hasn’t been looked at as a candidate for the City job. Gaughan further reports that Manchester City want a manager whose philosophy lines up with Pep Guardiola’s style of play.

Does that mean that Xabi Alonso is the main contender to succeed Pep Guardiola?

If Ruben Amorim isn’t a contender for the Manchester City manager job then it does appear to leave one man as the prime candidate to succeed Pep Guardiola. That man is Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso. Alonso looks to be the ideal candidate to be Manchester City’s next manager. His Bayer Leverkusen team plays in a similar style to Manchester City, albeit with their own nuances to their play. Alonso’s side plays an attractive brand of football, and Alonso looks to be the number one candidate to succeed Pep Guardiola. Florian Plettenberg has previously reported that Manchester City have shown concrete interest in Xabi Alonso becoming their next manager.

Of course, the hope is that Pep Guardiola extends his tenure as Manchester City manager. That is the hope of everyone associated with Manchester City. But it does appear that one candidate is emerging as the front-runner to succeed Guardiola. With Ruben Amorim looking to be on his way to Old Trafford Xabi Alonso appears to be the ideal man to replace Pep Guardiola if he does leave the world champions.