Manchester City are “willing to take a step” for their successor Pep Guardiola in a match that will prove like a lead ball at Liverpool, according to a report.
Guardiola guided Manchester City to their fourth consecutive Premier League title last season and their sixth crown in seven years. There are still doubts about the club’s 115 monetary charges for fair play, what cannot be debated is that Guardiola is one of the most important managers in English football. history.
However, the 53-year-old has recently hinted at various events that his long-term career could be a far cry from the Etihad.
Guardiola’s current contract expires at the end of the 2024/25 season and the Spaniard has turned heads with his suggestions for an exit.
“Last year, after Istanbul (Champions League final), I said ‘it’s over, there’s nothing left,'” Guardiola said last month.
“But I have a contract and I’m starting to think ‘nobody has won 4 [Premier League titles] in a row, why don’t we try?And now I feel like it’s done, what’s next?
“Now I don’t know exactly what the motivation is because it’s hard to locate it when it’s all done. “
Guardiola then added fuel to the fire by speaking after City’s latest Premier League triumph.
“The thing is that I’m closer to leaving than staying [after next season],” admitted the City manager.
If Guardiola makes the decision to step down in 2025, he will end his trophy-laden stay at the Etihad after nine years. That’s the same amount of time arch-rival Jurgen Klopp spent at Liverpool before opting to take a break from the game. .
The Reds finally turned to Dutchman Arne Slot to take the reins at Anfield, thinking first of all about the appointment of Xabi Alonso.
Alonso has received rave reviews for his impressive spell at Bayer Leverkusen, guiding them to their first name in the Bundesliga last season.
Liverpool have made an appeal, Alonso has opted to remain unwavering at Leverkusen for at least one more season.
But according to Football Transfers, Alonso has been appointed to update Guardiola for the 2025/26 season and beyond.
They claim that Manchester City’s hierarchy is unanimously agreed that Alonso is the ideal candidate for Guardiola and to continue his legacy at the club.
As a result, Manchester City are “ready to make a move” for Alonso with a view to seeing Spaniard Guardiola in 12 months’ time.
In fact, this news will set off alarm bells in Liverpool, who would hate to see a figure linked to the Reds sign for Man City.
Alonso played for Liverpool between 2004 and 2009 while playing and helped win the Champions League on that memorable night in Istanbul in 2005.
Alonso has already proven himself to be a top-tier coach despite his relative inexperience and Manchester City are convinced he is the best candidate to succeed Guardiola.
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In addition, the report adds that Manchester City believes that Alonso’s appointment would help the club make two massive transfers in one year.
Manchester City set their sights on Florian Wirtz of Leverkusen and Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad.
Wirtz is seen as Kevin De Bruyne’s obvious heir as lead creator, while Zubimendi, who in the past admitted Alonso is his footballing idol, would take over from Rodri in midfield.
Real Madrid are known to be flying over Wirtz and Alonso’s presence may be just what City want to seal a deal than the Bernabeu.
Wirtz is expected to charge more than £100m if he changes clubs in 2025. Zubimendi, on the other hand, can be signed a release clause of 60 million euros.
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