Manchester City warned against ‘pointless’ long‑term Pep Guardiola succession plan
Manchester City should only be thinking about the immediate future when it comes to planning for life after Pep Guardiola.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, as Guardiola is expected to leave Man City at the end of the season.
Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is the favourite to replace Guardiola at the Etihad, with the Italian having previously been assistant manager under the Spaniard at the club.
The departure of Guardiola would end his 10-year spell at Man City, which has brought unprecedented success to the club, and could still end with a Premier League title this season.
It is set to be a summer of change at Man City if Guardiola leaves, with Bernardo Silva and John Stones having already announced they will be leaving the club when their contracts expire.
👔 Man City Manager News 👔
Get the inside track on the Etihad dugout with real-time updates on shortlist candidates and technical leadership strategy.
VISIT THE MANAGER HUBMan City told ‘the most important thing’ in their managerial search
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – states that Man City can’t be thinking too far ahead once Guardiola leaves the club.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness warns that Man City have to be adaptable in their managerial searches in the future.
| Games Managed | 591 |
| Games Won | 423 |
| Games Drawn | 76 |
| Games Lost | 92 |
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “The most important thing is setting up that football style and then having the right people to come in and manage that style.
“But trying to be too clever, it’s almost like one-upmanship. Saying you’ve got a succession plan, well guess what, we’ve got double the succession plan. I don’t think it’s really relevant.
“You’ve got to think one at a time. Football changes so quickly that you’ve got to be able to adapt to the times. Doing it thoroughly is one thing, but trying to think too far ahead without realising how consequences and events can take over is a little bit pointless.”
This is why Pep Guardiola could be leaving Man City
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Guardiola could be leaving Man City due to a verdict being close in their 115 charges case.
The 55-year-old could jump ship before a final decision on the case is publicly announced, as Man City could be hit with a huge points deduction if found guilty.
Man City’s 115 charges case began in February 2023, over alleged breaches of financial rules between 2009 and 2018.
Guardiola was in charge of the club for the latter two years, when he led Man City to a Premier League title, League Cup, and an FA Cup.
Don’t Miss a Beat: Your Man City Insider Access
Get the full story from the Etihad Stadium and CFA with our dedicated expert hubs:
Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the Etihad Campus.