Man City could face boardroom ‘exodus’ after Pep Guardiola news – Wyness
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has warned Man City face a “big problem” if their executive team leave alongside manager Pep Guardiola.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – highlighted the aftermath of Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill leaving Man United at the same time in 2013.
According to the Daily Mail (26 May), Guardiola is “expected to call time” on his Man City tenure next summer – when his contract at the Etihad Stadium comes to an end.
CEO Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain are big allies of the legendary boss, who was appointed at the Etihad Stadium in 2016.
Soriano and Begiristain have been at the club since 2012 after previous spells at Barcelona, overlapping with Guardiola’s time at Camp Nou.
Wyness claims Man City could face ‘big problem’ – just like Man United
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “The big problem City could face is what happened to Man United with Alex Ferguson.
“David Gill went at the same time. He was a chief executive who had handled all the big player transactions, and then a new replacement came in when Ferguson left.
“That created a huge vacuum in terms of knowledge.
“If Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain were to go at the same time as Guardiola, that would cause a big problem.
“I’d hope they would handle the succession in a different way to United.
“Being from the chief executive’s union myself, people underestimate the value and importance of the work they do with the manager – getting the deals across the line that he wants.
“It’s a big difference in culture when that whole group leaves at the same time.
“I think City will be okay, but if there is a big exodus – we’ll have to wait and see.”
In other news, Man City to accept “significant” midfielder offer.
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