Manchester City have reportedly identified Arsenal's Mikel Arteta and Bayern Munich's Julian Nagelsmann as potential successors to manager Pep Guardiola should the Spaniard decide to leave the Etihad Stadium.
The 51-year-old, who was appointed as Citizens boss in the summer of 2016, is the second longest-serving manager in the Premier League after Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp.
However, his long-term future at the Etihad remains uncertain as his contract is due to expire at the end of the current campaign.
A recent report from 90min claims that Man City have reached a 'broad agreement' with Guardiola and his representatives over a new deal until June 2025 and they are 'very confident' that he will commit his future to the club before the end of the year.
However, the same report states that the Citizens have identified three managers as potential candidates to succeed Guardiola should the Catalan boss decide to call time on his trophy-laden spell on the blue side of Manchester.
© Reuters
Guardiola's former assistant and current Arsenal head coach Arteta is regarded as a 'genuine contender' for the Man City hotseat as the Gunners have shown promising signs of progression under his tenure.
Arteta's side have excelled in the Premier League so far this season and they currently sit at the top of the table – two points ahead of Man City in second – after winning 11 of their opening 13 matches.
The 40-year-old knows Man City well after spending three years as Guardiola's understudy between 2016 and 2019, but it may take some convincing to persuade the Spaniard to leave what he has built at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta has also been linked with replacing Xavi as Barcelona head coach, but he recently poured cold water on such rumours and insists that he is "happy and proud" to be in charge of Arsenal.
"What I can say is that I'm extremely happy and proud to be where I am," Arteta told reporters last week. "Barcelona now are on a really good path. I think they have a phenomenal coach who is an absolute legend at the club and has lived the whole place. You have to be very respectful of that."
© Reuters
Bayern Munich's 35-year-old manager Julian Nagelsmann and River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo are also believed to be on Man City's radar.
Nagelsmann, who replaced Hansi Flick at the Allianz Arena in July 2021, won the Bundesliga title in his first season with the German giants and they currently sit top of the Bundesliga with 28 points from their first 13 games.
Bayern also won all six of their Champions League group-stage fixtures this season, finishing ahead of Inter Milan and Barcelona in Group C, but they are now tasked with beating Paris Saint-Germain over two legs in the last 16.
Meanwhile, Gallardo – who has also been linked with the current Southampton managerial vacancy – is stepping down from his role as River Plate boss, calling time on his eight-year reign with the Argentine giants.
The 46-year-old has been praised by Guardiola in the past for his 'incredible' success at River Plate, winning 14 trophies with the club including two Copa Libertadores' and the 2021 Primera Division title.
The three-time South American Coach of the Year is planning to take a break from management when he leave River Plate at the end of this year, but he could be tempted by a potential switch to the Etihad next summer.
Oliver Thomas
