City bosses consider Pep Guardiola departure » The Telegraph reveals the name of the successor

Pep Guardiola took charge of rebuilding Manchester City when he extended until 2027, but it is becoming increasingly clear that a return to the top of the Premier League could take longer than he bargained for.

Although he maintains that he will fulfill his contract whenever he is asked by journalists, doubts grew in the club – reveals the British newspaper The Telegraph.

Enzo Maresca, the great favorite to succeed Pep Guardiola

Moreover, the reporters of a certain publication found out that sports director Hugo Viana is already preparing for life after Pep and has decided on the future manager: Enzo Maresca.

Enzo Maresca // photo: Guliver/gettyimages

Dismissed on January 1 from Chelsea, the Italian technician is the favorite to succeed Guardiola. The main asset? He was the Spaniard's second in the 2022-2023 season, the one in which the “citizens” won the Champions League and knows the club very well.

If Maresca decides to sign earlier with another team, Viana still has two coaches on the list. One is Xabi Alonso, also free of contract after leaving Real Madrid, and Cesc Fabregas, from Como.

Xabi Alonso and Cesc Fabregas, the next names on the shortlist

“It's no secret that Liverpool would be a dream destination for Xabi given his playing history at Anfield Road, but Manchester City is attractive enough for him to accept the job without hesitation, especially if Liverpool won't offer him,” writes the same The Telegraph.

Cesc Fàbregas, in turn, played under Guardiola in his last season on the Barcelona bench and is doing a very good job at Como. His name is already associated with top European clubs, and as you know, last summer he was on Inter's list before Cristi Chivu, but Como's boss didn't give him the green light.