By Scott Trotter
Manchester City are already putting their succession plan in place for Pep Guardiola.
The former Barcelona boss' contract is set to expire at the end of next season and reports suggest that City already have the name of the figure they want to replace Guardiola. The Catalan coach admitted that he could yet extend his stay earlier in the season, but it appears City chiefs are taking no risks.
Guardiola took over at the Etihad Stadium in 2016 and has won five Premier League titles in that time - he could record an imperious fourth in a row if his side can hold off Arsenal and Liverpool this term. It will be an ominous task to replace the 53-year-old who spent just seven seasons at Barcelona and Bayern Munich combined.
City Group will look close to home for his replacement and are set to consider Girona's Michel Sanchez. The La Liga side are set to finish in the division's top four in just their fourth season in the top flight ever.
Sanchez has earned admirers over the course of 2023/24 as he finds success with a team that includes former Premier League players Paolo Gazzaniga, Daley Blind, Cristhian Stuani and Eric Garcia. Girona are one of 13 clubs that City's owners have a stake in as part of City Football Group.
The 48-year-old manager has previously enjoyed stints with Huesca and Rayo Vallecano and was appointed Girona boss in 2021. The former midfielder earned promotion to La Liga in his first season with the club and produced a top-half finish in his side's first season back in the league.
While the extent of Guardiola's future remains uncertain, the ex-Barcelona and Roma midfielder has previously admitted he could be tempted into the international arena. The City boss stopped short of putting a timeframe on that move, however.
"I would like to experience living through a World Cup, a Euro Cup, a Copa America, whatever it may be," said Guardiola. "I would like to experience that. I don't know when, in five, ten, fifteen years, but I would like to play in a World Cup as a coach. I don't know who wants me," he added, "To work with a national team, they have to want you."
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