In the past decade, Pep Guardiola has become one of Manchester City’s biggest legends.
If Sheikh Mansoor’s investment and the 2012 Premier League title made us relevant and the noisy neighbours, Pep Guardiola made sure that noise echoed through Europe by making Manchester City a force to be reckoned with.
Pep has won 18 trophies with Manchester City, which include 6 Premier League titles and the club’s first-ever Champions League, a domestic treble, a European treble, a centurion season, and 4 consecutive Premier League wins.
So the answer to who can replace Pep Guardiola will not be an easy one, but I have got a few names who I think can carry the mantle going forward.
4 Managers who can replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City
I already mentioned what Pep Guardiola has won with Manchester City, but his greatness isn’t just confined to silverware.
Pep Guardiola is the architect of modern football; he hasn’t just built teams or players, but has left a mark on football, and so many modern managers are part of Pep’s coaching school. The Guy is literally a walking football encyclopedia.
The names I have taken here have either worked with Pep directly or follow the same philosophy as Pep.
1. Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca is the name discussed most at this point as Pep’s replacement, and according to David Ornstien, Manchester City are already laying the groundwork to bring Maresca on board in case Pep leaves next summer.
🚨 EXCL: Enzo Maresca high among candidates Manchester City considering in case Pep Guardiola exits next summer. #MCFC advancing contingency work for possibility of manager change – 45yo #CFC coach prominent alongside other potential options @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/nbrXrvHpIt
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) December 18, 2025
Just like Mikel Arteta, Maresca was also part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at Manchester City, and he looks almost like his long-lost brother.
Maresca helped Leicester City win the Championship and was immediately recruited by Chelsea. He has so far done a remarkable job in the Premier League.
Not only did he stabilise the Chelsea ship but also helped them qualify for the Champions League, and not to forget winning the Europa Conference League and the Conference League.
Enzo Maresca has the Premier League experience; he knows the Pep way of football, and he has shown his calibre in big games. On paper, he looks solid, but personally, I would keep him as my 2nd favourite replacement.
2. Andoni Iraola
Speaking of Premier League experience, Iraloa is one of the emerging managers in the Premier League.
The Spaniard could be in this conversation because his football principles already overlap with Pep’s core ideas. He coaches positional play, aggressive pressing, and structured buildup rather than reactive football.
He has managed to keep Bournemouth competitive with a very limited budget and has shown that he can develop players as well. Milos Kerkez and Semenyo are the perfect example.
Iraola helped Rayo Vallecano get to LALIGA from the second division, and not only survived in LALIGA, but his team was competing for the European spots. So he does have that caliber but a move to Manchester City might be a step too far at this moment.
3. Cesc Fabregas
Cesc Fabregas has become one of the hottest managerial prospects in Europe in the last couple of years. He is a Guardiola school midfielder who lived inside positional play for over a decade under Pep, Wenger, and Luis Enrique.
Few potential managers understand space, tempo, and control the way he does.
At Como, Fabregas has already shown strong coaching instincts. He helped guide them to promotion to Serie A, playing proactive, possession-first football instead of survival tactics. His teams want the ball, build patiently, and press with intent.
He understands how to build a team with the right balance of youth and experience, and Nico Paz’s emergence in Como has been remarkable.
Fabregas seems destined for greatness, but he is still just starting his journey and taking on Manchester City might be a little too early at this point.
4. Vincent Kompany
They called me a madman when I rooted for Vincent Kompany when he signed for Bayern Munich.
Whoever are mocking Kompany to Bayern move will be regretting it when the time comes. Mark this. ✒️ https://t.co/hEJEqXxY6t
— Pranay Singh (@thepranaysingh) May 25, 2024
Everyone had their doubts about Kompany when he took over at Bayern due to his stint at Burnley, but he has pleasantly surprised everyone. He won the Bundesliga with Bayern, and this season, Bayern Munich are the most in-form team in Europe.
Vincent Kompany is a Manchester City legend himself; he was the club captain and knows how the club operates, and has spent a lot of time under Pep Guardiola.
He has the English football experience as a player and as a manager. Kompany promoted Burnley into the Premier League, but the Premier League stint was a bit underwhelming. Although at Bayern, he has shown just how good he is.
Personally, if Pep is leaving (I hope he agrees to sign another extension), Vincent Kompany would be my first choice to replace him. He was the leader of the team when we started to build our dynasty, so he will command a lot of respect from the dressing room.
Filling Pep Guardiola’s shoes won’t be an easy job, but if I had pick someone right now, Vincent Kompany is the best suitable option to take charge.
