Man City could copy Man Utd when Guardiola leaves amid Haaland hint | Football | Sport

Manchester City could follow in Manchester United’s footsteps when Pep Guardiola eventually leaves the club. That’s according to Wayne Rooney, who believes Guardiola is likely to influence the choice of his successor at the Etihad Stadium, much like Sir Alex Ferguson did when he resigned from his role at United.

“Pep will probably choose the next manager,” the former England forward said on The Wayne Rooney Show. “If he is going, he will probably be part of the process to choose the next one. I just think in terms of Pep, he looks at himself as a bit of a teacher, and he has been at the club for 10 years, he will want to leave the club in a good place.”

When Ferguson opted to retire in 2013, he played a leading role in identifying his replacement at United. Attempts to attract Jose Mourinho and Guardiola to Old Trafford did not succeed, prompting Ferguson to hand-pick David Moyes as his successor.

Guardiola still has 16 months remaining on his City deal, yet rumors persist that the Spaniard’s spell in Manchester might end earlier than expected. This week, Erling Haaland appeared to add to that speculation, suggesting the players were already preparing for life after their current boss.

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“When I talk about good people around me, it’s not just my friends but the people at the club. I’m lucky to be at a club with so many good people, and with Pep, who pushes us every single day,” the City forward told TNT Sports.

“I’m lucky to have worked with Pep for three-and-a-half years. It’s been an amazing time, as we all know, and no matter what happens in the future, we still need to keep pushing,” he added. “I need to keep pushing myself and others around me to get better.”

As doubts linger over Guardiola’s long-term future, City are reportedly assessing possible successors. Earlier this season, reports emerged that former City assistant Enzo Maresca – at that point managing Chelsea – was being considered. Other figures linked with the vacancy include ex-Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, Como manager Cesc Fabregas and PSG head coach Luis Enrique.

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That said, Rooney feels there is a clear frontrunner. “If Pep does go, they have to go and get [Bayern Munich boss] Vincent Kompany,” he said. “He knows the club; he has been successful with Bayern in a similar way. It looks like he has learned from Pep.”

Over his 10-year spell at City, Guardiola has overseen one of the most dominant eras the English game has witnessed. Under his leadership, the club have lifted six Premier League titles, six domestic cups and the Champions League, sealing a historic Treble in 2023. They also set a benchmark by becoming the first team in English top-flight history to collect 100 points in a single league season.

Only Ferguson has captured more English league championships, and Guardiola needs just one more title to move beyond Bob Paisley and George Ramsay, who each won six with Liverpool and Aston Villa, respectively.

Trying to emulate Ferguson’s accomplishments is one thing, but following his specific blueprint may not be wise. His endorsement of Moyes backfired spectacularly, with the Scotsman getting sacked after only 10 months at the helm, with United ending the campaign in seventh place – then their lowest Premier League finish at the time.

City will be keen to avoid a comparable downturn once Guardiola’s era draws to a close. Considering the magnitude of the former Barcelona manager’s impact and the elite standards he has established over the past decade, the club cannot afford an error when the time comes to appoint his successor.