Girona gaffer Michel has been reported to be among the options Manchester City are considering if Pep Guardiola walks next year
Manchester City could draw from one of their sister clubs to replace Pep Guardiola once the manager's deal comes to an end next year.
Guardiola's contract runs through to summer 2025, and he has previously said he may be open to signing a new deal, but reports over the weekend suggested there is 'growing pessimism'.
The Mirror reported that Manchester City are therefore lining up a potential succession plan in case Guardiola does decide to call time – a policy that frankly only makes sense for them.
City will, after all, have seen the difficult situation Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich now find themselves in: trying to find a top-class new manager against the clock after their current gaffer announced they would be standing down.
Pencilling in a decision now would mean City could sidestep that and give Guardiola's successor a part-time watching brief well in advance.
Any new manager wants to come in and do things their own way, but being able to consult with Guardiola on an ongoing basis could be invaluable in what is traditionally an extremely difficult transition even for the most dominant clubs. Ask Graeme Souness, David Moyes and Unai Emery.
That City are reportedly considering Girona boss Michel has meanwhile raised some eyebrows, but his lack of name value on these shores should not alarm City fans unduly. Girona are, of course, a City sister club – and what is the point of having that kind of network if you're not going to use it other than to sell Aaron Mooy to Huddersfield?
Michel has twice led sides to promotion from the Spanish second tier and – far more pertinently – taken Girona from the second tier to being realistic La Liga title contenders for much of this season, before gravity inevitably caught up with them to push them down to third. All the while, Girona have played a tidy, attacking passing game that will already be familiar to Etihad Stadium regulars.
We are back to an era where big name managers are no guarantee of success – and as Liverpool, Manchester United and the rest are finding at the moment, there are not too many obvious powerhouse managers knocking about world football these days. The game has returned to a state while ideology and methodology are more important than status.
Some may point to Graham Potter's time at Chelsea as a counter-argument, but…well, look at them now, under the more dressing room-palatable guidance of Mauricio Pochettino. As with Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, it would be fair to say the Argetinian's experience suggests that club has issues that extend beyond the dugout.
Besides, since when is any managerial appointment a sure thing? Emery has shown at Aston Villa that what does not work at one club may go hand in glove with another – which is all the more reason City should look to find a hand that already fits.
You just can't tell... might all be well with Michel?
Michele, 31, sent her husband an emotional message after Tuesday night's 3-1 win over Bournemouth at the Etihad.Kevin De Bruyne's wife Michele stole the show as he bid farewell to Man CityThe midfielder was joined by his family on the Etihad pitchMichele showed her support for De Bruyne with an emotional Instagram postThe game marked De Bruyne's final home appearance after a decade of trophy decad...
MANCHESTER, England -- Pep Guardiola said he would rather leave Manchester City than have to work with a bloated squad next season.The City manager has begun to rebuild his team after the club's first trophyless campaign since 2017.But he said Tuesday he had told the club that he will walk away rather than oversee an oversized squad."I said to the club I don't want that. I don't want to leave five...
Liverpool could reportedly pounce on a huge deal after Manchester City pulled out.Liverpool could pounce after City reportedly pulled out of a world-record deal Manchester City have reportedly withdrawn from the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen ace Florian Wirtz after concluding that a deal would cost a staggering £252million. Wirtz has been among Europe's best players over the last few seasons ...
Man Utd to activate Cunha's Wolves release clause next weekManchester United are reportedly set to complete the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves next week, as they agree to pay his £62.5m release clause.Sky Sports has now reported that Manchester United are set to trigger the striker's £62.5 million ($83.4m) release clause to sign him this summer.Why Barca have fallen behind Bayern i...
Dias and TV presenter Maya went public with their relationship last month after first meeting in November.April Ivy is the ex-girlfriend of Manchester City star Ruben DiasApril Ivy appeared to take a dig at Dias in her new songApril Ivy was with Dias until 2021She is a singer from PortugalMaya Jama has gone public in her relationship with DiasThe City defender was previously in a relationship with...
Semedo concerned about Wolves contract talksWolves defender Nelson Semedo is unsure about his future at Molineux.Semedo is off contract at the end of next month and talks over a new deal are yet to result in an agreement.The Express & Star says the fullback is unsure of his future and in the event no deal is struck, he has recorded a farewell message for fans.Wolves are keen for Semedo, 31, to...
Salah lays out Liverpool ambitions after collecting FWA awardLiverpool ace Mohamed Salah says he's as ambitious as ever after winning the Premier League title this season.Salah penned a new deal to 2027 last month, with the Egypt international also collecting the Football Writers' Association Player of the Year award last night."It means a lot to win this award," said Salah, who also was voted by ...
SHOCKER: Man Utd choose to put up for sale EVERY player as finances hit desperate stateManchester United will consider offers for ALL senior players after a disastrous campaign.Missing out on European football has left a huge hole in their finances and the board has decided the solution needs to be a great sell-off of talent.The Mirror says United will listen to offers for every player - including...
Liverpool boss Slot details thoughts on Alexander-Arnold exit; responds to Deco's Diaz claimsLiverpool boss Arne Slot admits he's yet to decide if Trent Alexander-Arnold will play on Sunday against Crystal Palace.The match will mark a final game in a Reds shirt for the England fullback, who was jeered by home fans against Arsenal a fortnight ago after announcing he would be leaving at the end of t...
The list of high-profile players whose contracts expire in 2025 is pretty impressive and there are some big names whose futures are not yet resolved.Some are working on deals to find a new club behind the scenes, while others have agreed their next move before they have even finished playing for their current team.Here's a rundown of the most coveted players who are still available for nothing thi...
- 1 Mikel Arteta ready to give his life to deliver silverware for Arsenal
- 2 Man City withdraw and Liverpool could steal
- 3 Chelsea beat Manchester United in FA Cup final to seal domestic treble
- 4 Mikel Arteta apologises for failing to deliver Arsenal a Premier League title
- 5 Dele Alli’s girlfriend Cindy sets pulses racing in barely
- 6 Tottenham vs Manchester United Prediction 22 May 2025
- 7 Eberechi Eze is at it again as he helps Crystal Palace to victory against Wolves
- 8 Liverpool considering transfer swoop
- 9 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 10 Transfer news & rumours LIVE