Reports suggest that Manchester City is preparing for the eventual departure of Pep Guardiola from the managerial position.
Despite Guardiola being contracted until the end of the next season, there are indications that he might seek a new challenge once his current deal concludes. While Guardiola has overseen City’s most successful era, it’s understood that his tenure will eventually come to an end. Accordingly, the club’s leadership has begun to outline a succession plan, with Girona manager Michel emerging as a prominent candidate.
Michel’s impressive achievements with Girona, a club owned by the City Football Group, have caught the attention of City’s decision-makers. The possibility of appointing Michel as Guardiola’s successor is being seriously considered, especially as he has been learning English in anticipation of a potential move to the Premier League.
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Guardiola himself has privately expressed admiration for Michel’s work at Girona. While there is a chance that Guardiola might extend his stay at City, there’s reportedly diminishing confidence that he will remain beyond 2025. However, Guardiola’s close relationship with club president Khaldoon Al Mubarak offers hope that he could be persuaded to sign another contract.
Whether City will need to appoint a new manager in 2025 remains uncertain, as Guardiola will ultimately have the final say on his future. In recent years, Guardiola has been linked with international management opportunities, with a particular interest in experiencing major tournaments like the World Cup or the European Championship. While his exact plans remain unclear, Guardiola has expressed a desire to explore coaching opportunities at the international level in the future.