- 20 hours ago
EXCLUSIVE: Alonso gets unanimous Man City backing to replace Guardiola
Steve Kay
- Updated: 10 Jun 2024 22:15 BST
- 3 min read
Exclusive
Manchester City are poised to make a move for Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso if Pep Guardiola elects to stand down from his position as manager in 2025, FootballTransfers can reveal.
Guardiola has previously suggested that the 2024/25 campaign could be his last in charge of the Etihad club, who he has led to four successive Premier League titles.
If this does indeed prove to be the case, a source close to the clubs has revealed Alonso is currently the only candidate that City are “seriously considering” to replace the Catalan.
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The champions’ hierarchy unanimously agrees that Alonso is the ideal successor to Guardiola as they believe he can continue his legacy at the club.
The Bayer boss has just led his club to the Bundesliga title and suffered only one defeat across all competitions all season – the Europa League final to Atalanta.
He was chased for numerous roles this summer, with Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich all vying to sign him. Instead, he committed his future to B04 for another season, yet the Germans will be hard-pressed to keep him amidst such intense interest.
EXCLUSIVE: Xabi Alonso 'has everything' to be world's best manager - Leverkusen legend
A major bonus of Alonso’s arrival at Man City, meanwhile, is that the club believes it will help them sign both Bayer’s Florian Writz and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi.
City are likely to need players in both these areas next summer. Indeed, they are already seeking a player to support Rodri in midfield, which is a role Zubimendi could fit perfectly. There is still doubt over his future, with Arsenal and Barcelona having been interested in him.
Kevin De Bruyne, meanwhile, is tending towards signing a one-year extension at the Etihad, but that means Guardiola’s side will need a No.10 next season. Wirtz has been earmarked for this role.
STATS
Florian Wirtz
AM, F (C)
Bayer 04
Florian Wirtz
AM, F (C)
Bayer 04
Guardiola on his way out?
Speaking after the final day of the campaign, Guardiola dropped a bombshell.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss said: “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.”
Guardiola’s future, for the moment, remains unresolved, but City are planning for the post-Pep era, and Alonso is the man they see spearheading them into those years.
