Pep Guardiola is expected to leave Manchester City next summer when his contract expires.
City have enjoyed unprecedented success since Guardiola’s arrival in Manchester eight years ago, having won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and delivering the club’s first ever Champions League success as part of an precedented treble last season.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has entered the last 12 months of his contract at the Etihad with City eager to for him to sign fresh terms.
But the Daily Mail report City fear Guardiola will choose to walk away at the end of next season.
A number of names to succeed Guardiola are already under consideration with Girona head coach Michel among them. The Spaniard has built up a formidable reputation in Spain having guided Girona to Champions League qualification this season, holding their own against Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The report also names Julian Nagelsmann as another possible target, with the former Bayern boss now in charge of the Germany national side until 2026.
Xabi Alonso is one of European football’s most highly-regarded young coaches after guiding Bayer Leverkusen to the German title. The former Spain international rejected interest from Liverpool and Bayern to remain at the club for at least another season.
Guardiola himself admires Roberto De Zerbi, who is currently a free agent after leaving Brighton at the end of the season.
City won their fourth consecutive league title last weekend, a new record, but were unable to make it a double after losing to Manchester United in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
Last week, Guardiola raised doubts over his own future at City, suggesting finding new motivation after all their success may be difficult.
‘Last year, after Istanbul [the Champions League final win over Inter Milan], I said it’s over, there’s nothing left,’ Guardiola said.
‘But I have a contract and I start to think ‘no-one has done four in a row, why don’t we try?’. And now I feel it’s done, so what next?
‘Now I don’t know what exactly the motivation is because it’s difficult to find it when everything is done.’
He added: ‘The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying. We have talked with the club – my feeling is that I want to stay now.
‘I will stay next season and during the season we will talk. But eight or nine years – we will see.’
