Pep's Last Waltz at City? The Gaffers Queuing Up to Fill His Massive Tracksuit

Whispers around the Etihad are getting louder – is this Pep Guardiola's final season in the Manchester City dugout? After last term's wobble, the Sky Blues rebuilt, shipping out some old guard and tweaking the playbook. They're sharper now, but still miles off that globe-trotting juggernaut that terrorised everyone from Anfield to the Allianz Arena. Another Champions League slap from Real Madrid has Pep pondering if he's got the beans left to drag them back to the summit.

City's ditched the tiki-taka tapas for a more direct brew, heavy on the wing wizards and dribble merchants. Pundits reckon it's prep for a post-Pep world. After a decade bossing the Premier League – longest-serving gaffer there – no shock if the Catalan calls time. But who steps into those enormous shoes? We've ranked the top shouts by who's most likely and up to the gig, pint in hand style.

The Contenders: From Familiar Faces to Pep's Protégés

4. Luis Enrique – Paris Maestro with Barca Roots

Picture this: a bloke who shared a pitch and dugout with Pep at Barcelona. Luis Enrique did just that, then took over Barca B when Pep legged it. Fast-forward, and he's ditched Guardiola's shadow for sunlit success – treble-chasing with Barca, Spain glory, and now turning PSG into Europe's slickest hit machine.

Last season? Ligue 1 kings and Champions League conquerors, ditching the galactico circus for electric counters. He's the planet's top dog right now, but swapping Parisian glamour for Manchester mizzle? Jury's out. Still, he'd stroll into the chat.

3. Xabi Alonso – Leverkusen Legend, Madrid Survivor

Xabi Alonso's shine took a dent from a bumpy half-season at Real Madrid – that Bernabéu pressure cooker melts mere mortals. But rewind to Bayer Leverkusen: that bonkers unbeaten Bundesliga romp in '23-24 screams elite coach. His 3-4-2-1 isn't pure Pep possession, but it's crisp, pretty footy with steel.

Learned at Pep's knee during Bayern days, and he knows the Premier League grind from Liverpool stints. Cool as a cucumber with the press pack too – vital for surviving Sky Sports hounds. A tasty pick.

2. Vincent Kompany – City Saint Ready to Return

If anyone's got the Etihad DNA, it's Vincent Kompany. Club skipper for yonks, four Premier League trophies – two under Pep – turned him into a Blue legend. Bayern's treating him like gold after Burnley's rollercoaster; he's built a superstar squad that's blitzing the Bundesliga and eyeing Champions League silverware.

Dynamic, attack-hungry stuff – fans would erupt if Vinny boomerangs home. At 39, he's primed for the big time, and City folk know the club's wiring better than their own Wi-Fi password.

The Fruity Favourite: Enzo Maresca – Pep's Italian Heir Apparent

Top of the pops? Enzo Maresca, Chelsea's recent sacking sensation. Word is, the Blues booted him partly 'cause he was nattering with City about this very gig. Ex-City youth gaffer and Pep's right-hand man, he's a possession obsessive – control freaks unite.

Forget Stamford Bridge blues; he nabbed two trophies with a kid-heavy Chelsea, including a tidy Club World Cup run. 46, Premier League-savvy, and available now – deal done in a heartbeat. Seamless handover, minimal tears. City's perfect landing spot for this Guardiola clone.

Look, none will match Pep's wizardry overnight, but this lot could keep the conveyor belt of silverware humming. As SI Soccer floated these names, the rumour mill's in overdrive. Fancy a bet? Grab a pint and watch this space – the Pep era might just pivot to Maresca magic.