Manager Josep Guardiola has urged his successor to “be himself” as he steps down after 10 glorious years at the helm of Manchester City.
Guardiola bid farewell to one of the most successful managers in English football history this weekend.
Former assistant Enzo Maresca, who was sacked as Chelsea manager in January, is considered to be the likely successor.
It will be difficult to follow Guardiola after winning 20 trophies at the Etihad Stadium, but the Spaniard insisted his successor should not emulate him.
“A manager has to be himself and be unique. The club will support him unconditionally, just like they did for me,” Guardiola said.
“Copying and pasting doesn’t work in this kind of work. Be yourself, be natural. Everyone is everyone, and that’s how it should be.”
“That’s why everything is going to go well. I’m confident that these players, the new coach, the staff and everyone there will do the job that’s needed to stay there.”
City are expected to spend big to support a new manager this summer, with Fabrizio Romano admitting Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliott Anderson is a “top target” in his latest Youtube video.
However, the same reporter also admitted that Forest would demand a huge fee for their star man, potentially exceeding £100m.
Manchester City’s richest contract in history | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
rank | player | commission | signatory | year |
1 | Jack Grealish | 100 million pounds | Aston Villa | 2021 |
2 | If Guardiol | £77m | RB Leipzig | 2023 |
3 | Ruben Diaz | £65m | Benfica | 2020 |
4 | Antoine Semenyo | £64m | bournemouth | 2026 |
5 | Omar Mahmush | £63m | frankfurt | 2025 |
6 | Rodri | £62.8m | atlético madrid | 2019 |
=7 | Joan Cancelo | £60m | juventus | 2019 |
=7 | Riyad Mahrez | £60m | leicester | 2018 |
9 | Aymeric Laporte | £57m | athletic club | 2018 |
10 | jeremy doc | £55.4m | rennes | 2023 |
And in a boost for the Reds, City can now choose to look elsewhere for a new capable midfielder, possibly at Maresca’s old club.
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According to Romano, Maresca personally supports a move for Anderson, but another name on the shortlist is Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandes, who cost the Blues more than £100m when he signed from Benfica in 2023.
“Man City and Enzo Maresca have already agreed to consider Elliott Anderson as a top target.
“And they have other names on the list in case this deal doesn’t happen, but let’s see what happens with Rodri as well.
“Some players, such as Enzo Fernandes, have been mentioned internally at Man City.”
Guardiola will leave the club as the Premier League investigation into more than 100 alleged breaches of financial regulations by City remains unresolved.
The club denies any wrongdoing, but more than three years have passed since the accusations were made.
Guardiola has consistently supported the club throughout the process and reiterated that support when asked why he remained so insistent on defence.
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“I have spoken to them and I trust them and I trust what they are doing and there will be a solution.
“None of the staff, backroom staff, players or managers were here. It was a long time ago.
“I trust them. I (asked) before what would happen and they said no.”
It remains to be seen whether that will affect the signing of several players with huge price tags, including the World Cup winner in Fernandes.
