{"id":40843,"date":"2026-02-02T15:27:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T20:27:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/could-xabi-alonso-be-the-next-pep-guardiola-the-ex-real-madrid-coach-makes-manchester-citys-shortlist\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T15:27:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T20:27:18","slug":"could-xabi-alonso-be-the-next-pep-guardiola-the-ex-real-madrid-coach-makes-manchester-citys-shortlist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/could-xabi-alonso-be-the-next-pep-guardiola-the-ex-real-madrid-coach-makes-manchester-citys-shortlist\/","title":{"rendered":"Could Xabi Alonso be the Next Pep Guardiola? The Ex-Real Madrid Coach Makes Manchester City\u2019s Shortlist!"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/could-xabi-alonso-be-the-next-pep-guardiola-the-ex-real-madrid-coach-makes-manchester-citys-shortlist\/#Man_Citys_Pep_Uncertainty\" >Man City&#8217;s Pep Uncertainty<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/could-xabi-alonso-be-the-next-pep-guardiola-the-ex-real-madrid-coach-makes-manchester-citys-shortlist\/#Guardiolas_Perspectives_on_the_Future\" >Guardiola&#8217;s Perspectives on the Future<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/could-xabi-alonso-be-the-next-pep-guardiola-the-ex-real-madrid-coach-makes-manchester-citys-shortlist\/#Will_Pep_Depart\" >Will Pep Depart?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/could-xabi-alonso-be-the-next-pep-guardiola-the-ex-real-madrid-coach-makes-manchester-citys-shortlist\/#Whats_Next\" >What\u2019s Next?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div data-v-746446fd=\"\">\n<div class=\"flex-col-cntr article-content mg-b-25\" style=\"width:100%;\" showslider=\"false\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">\n<div class=\"freeform-content\">\n<p class=\"ital ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" height=\"20px\" src=\"https:\/\/b.fssta.com\/uploads\/application\/external-logos\/goal-dot-com-logo_black.svg\"\/>\n      <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">\n   Manchester City has reportedly included former Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso among three candidates they are considering to take over from Josep Guardiola at the end of the current season. With growing speculation about Guardiola&#8217;s potential departure, the club is actively working on identifying his possible successor.\n  <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-content mg-b-25\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Man_Citys_Pep_Uncertainty\"><\/span>Man City&#8217;s Pep Uncertainty<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">\n   As per the Telegraph, Alonso is on City&#8217;s radar for this summer if Guardiola decides to leave. City is said to be laying the groundwork for finding a new manager, especially as concerns about Guardiola&#8217;s future mount. Although Guardiola\u2019s contract extends until 2027, the team has faced challenges recently, securing just one win in their last five league matches and currently trailing six points behind leaders Arsenal. They recently squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 against Tottenham.\n  <\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">\n   Alongside Alonso, another candidate is former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who has indicated his willingness to engage in discussions with City regarding his departure from Stamford Bridge. Cesc Fabregas is also in the running, having earned acclaim for his work at Serie A\u2019s Como, which is presently sixth in the league and vying for European qualification.\n  <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mg-b-15 article-content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Guardiolas_Perspectives_on_the_Future\"><\/span>Guardiola&#8217;s Perspectives on the Future<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"full-width-image mg-t-15 article-content mg-b-25\" displaynav=\"true\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">\n    <img loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxsports.com\/statics.foxsports.com\/www.foxsports.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/640\/427\/GettyImages-2258135907-scaled.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1,  https:\/\/a57.foxsports.com\/statics.foxsports.com\/www.foxsports.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1280\/854\/GettyImages-2258135907-scaled.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\n  <\/div>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">\n   Guardiola has been tight-lipped about his future, choosing not to disclose his plans publicly. Nonetheless, he previously expressed that he felt it was fitting to continue with Manchester City.\n  <\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">\n   &#8220;Honestly, myself, my staff, my friends and I believe we deserve to be here. It&#8217;s frustrating, but it&#8217;s the truth. After losing four consecutive games, I think we deserve to recover and rectify the situation. At that moment, I considered my decision carefully for the future, and I want that as well,&#8221; he explained.\n  <\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">\n   &#8220;I\u2019ve been contemplating it since the season began. To be truthful, I thought this (season) might be my last. However, given what transpired last month, I felt it was not the right moment to depart. I didn\u2019t want to disappoint the club and felt that leaving now was not an option. Manchester City means a lot to me; I&#8217;ve been here for nine seasons, and I feel a special connection with this club, so I\u2019m truly happy to stay for two more seasons.&#8221;\n  <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-content mg-b-25\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Will_Pep_Depart\"><\/span>Will Pep Depart?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">\n   Guardiola has expressed his intention to take a break after his tenure at City, similar to his departure from Barcelona. After leaving the Catalan club in 2012, he took several months off before accepting a new role at Bayern Munich.\n  <\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">\n   In July, he stated, &#8220;I know that after this chapter with City, I will step away. That\u2019s certain; it\u2019s a decision I\u2019ve made. I need to take a break and refocus on myself, my health.&#8221;\n  <\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">\n   &#8220;At this moment, I believe I have the energy, alongside the players, to achieve a better season than last. That&#8217;s my objective. I won\u2019t claim in November and early December that we will win this or that.&#8221;\n  <\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">\n   &#8220;I see that we are improving compared to last season, and with every match, we are getting slightly better. There&#8217;s still room for enhancement in many areas, which fuels my motivation that we have unfinished business. That\u2019s why I\u2019m here.&#8221;\n  <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mg-b-15 article-content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_Next\"><\/span>What\u2019s Next?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"full-width-image mg-t-15 mg-b-15 article-content\" displaynav=\"true\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">\n    <img loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxsports.com\/statics.foxsports.com\/www.foxsports.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/640\/427\/arteta20guardiola.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1,  https:\/\/a57.foxsports.com\/statics.foxsports.com\/www.foxsports.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1280\/854\/arteta20guardiola.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\n  <\/div>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">\n   Despite recent struggles, City is still in the race for the Premier League title. They will compete against Newcastle in the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final this week before facing a crucial match against Liverpool next weekend.\n  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Fan Take:<\/strong> This news is significant for soccer enthusiasts as it illustrates the ongoing uncertainty surrounding one of the sport&#8217;s most influential managers. Guardiola&#8217;s potential departure could reshape Manchester City&#8217;s future and alter the landscape of the Premier League, making it a pivotal moment for the club and fans alike.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Manchester City has reportedly included former Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso among three candidates they are considering to take over from Josep Guardiola at the end of the current season. With growing speculation about Guardiola&#8217;s potential departure, the club is actively working on identifying his possible successor. Man City&#8217;s Pep Uncertainty As per the Telegraph, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":40844,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[1443,2269,1237,3798,40,4837,564,106,46,1179,7229,45,2998],"class_list":{"0":"post-40843","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-alonso","9":"tag-citys","10":"tag-coach","11":"tag-exreal","12":"tag-football","13":"tag-guardiola","14":"tag-madrid","15":"tag-manchester","16":"tag-news","17":"tag-pep","18":"tag-shortlist","19":"tag-soccer","20":"tag-xabi"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40843","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40843"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40843\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40844"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40843"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40843"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40843"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}