(Credit: Imago)

Sources: Man City have already held talks with their next manager

Transfer Correspondent AUTHORITY Former Sky Sports and ESPN FC correspondent who specialises in global recruitment, contract negotiations, and high-velocity transfer breaking news. FOCUS Exclusive reporting, domestic and international transfer markets, and elite-level insights. THE INSIGHT Pete utilises a Global Network of Industry Sources to deliver verified, first-to-market reporting. His “Deep-Lens” analysis connects the dots between boardroom strategy and pitch-level recruitment, providing a level of transfer clarity that goes beyond surface-level rumours.

Published on:

07 Feb 2026, 2:00 am

Man City have already held talks with a potential replacement for Pep Guardiola amid a growing feeling that he could leave the Etihad this summer.

Enzo Maresca has been heavily tipped to become the next Man City boss, having previously worked as the assistant manager under Guardiola.

As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, City held talks with Maresca about the job prior to his departure from Chelsea.

Those talks played a key role in the reason he left Stamford Bridge, while ongoing concerns and issues about interference from the ownership also pushed him out.

This comes after Football Insider first revealed in November that Man City are working to identify Guardiola’s replacement both short and long-term.

Enzo Maresca shouting instructions from the Chelsea touchline.

Enzo Maresca is on the shortlist at Man City. (Credit: Imago)

Man City hold talks with Enzo Maresca

The former Chelsea boss has also been linked with the potential vacancy at Tottenham, but Mick Brown told Football Insider Maresca would snub Spurs for Man City.

He is being lined up as one of the leading contenders for the position, whether it comes at the end of the season or in 2027, and is keen to take over.

With whispers growing that Guardiola could leave sooner rather than later, City are already accelerating plans to bring in his successor.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "Yeah, it does seem to be a bit of a growing feeling that Guardiola could leave at the end of the season.

"A lot of rumours going around now that Guardiola could leave City this summer.

"Man City will be looking for an elite manager to replace an elite manager.

"Maresca, one of the reasons that he left Chelsea was that he had spoken to Chelsea and told them that he had been speaking to City figures about replacing Guardiola.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola applauds after a game.

Pep Guardiola could be tempted to leave Man City. (Credit: Imago)

"He worked under Guardiola as his assistant at the Etihad. So he would tick a lot of boxes. It's one that's probably going to rumble on till the end of the season.

"It's a very attractive job and Guardiola will be a tough act to follow considering the success he has enjoyed at the Etihad Stadium."

Who else is on Man City's list to replace Guardiola?

Maresca is not the only big-name boss on City's radar as they step up plans to replace Guardiola sooner rather than later.

Football Insider exclusively revealed on 3 February that Vincent Kompany is Man City’s top target to replace Guardiola if they can prise him away from Bayern Munich.

Kompany is enjoying a strong season with the Bundesliga champions, who currently sit six points clear at the top of the league and have lost just one game.

Vincent Kompany is high on the list at Man City. (Credit: Imago)

Xabi Alonso will also be of interest to the Premier League giants following his departure from Real Madrid, but is on the radar at Liverpool as well.

But Kompany is said by sources to be City’s first choice, although luring him from Bayern Munich may be an almost impossible task.

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Manchester City

Pep Guardiola

Enzo Maresca