Man City are said to have identified a replacement for Pep Guardiola, in case the 54-year-old coach decides to leave the ‘hot seat’ when he cannot help the team overcome the crisis.
According to Fichajes, Man City leaders are targeting Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola as the person who can replace Pep Guardiola. The 42-year-old captain, also from Spain, is considered a ‘phenomenon’ in the Premier League this season.
He has transformed Bournemouth into a completely different face with a bold attacking style of play, helping the team to rank 5th in the rankings and only 1 point behind Man City. In fact, Andoni Iraola’s team has lost fewer matches than the Premier League champions – 6 compared to 7.
Man City are having the most difficult and worst season under Pep Guardiola. The team was just eliminated by Real Madrid in the Champions League play-off round due to a terrible result – losing 2-3 at Etihad and losing 1-3 in the rematch.
In the Premier League, although they have just returned to the top 4, Man City are only 1 point ahead of Bournemouth and 17 points behind leaders Liverpool. This means that Pep and his students have to fight for a place in the Champions League next season.
They are also likely to have points deducted, or even be expelled from the Premier League, while waiting for the Independent Council’s decision on 115 allegations of violating financial fair play, expected to be announced in the next few months.
In November last year, Pep Guardiola extended Man City’s contract until the summer of 2027, but at this time there is no guarantee that he will see out the rest of his contract at Etihad.
Man City are also preparing, aiming for a successor in case Pep Guardiola chooses to leave the ‘hot seat’, feeling the need for a comprehensive change for the club.
And Andoni Iraola, who is also being targeted by Real Madrid, is considered by Man City’s board to be the most perfect. They believe he can maintain the philosophy, develop and exploit the talent of the squad that compatriot Pep Guardiola has worked hard to build for nearly a decade.