Sheikh Mansour has always wanted to bring Pep Guardiola to Manchester City because he knows that this is the ideal coach to carry out his vision, which is to make The Citizens the strongest team.
The Abu Dhabi billionaire had to wait as Guardiola took over at Bayern Munich for another three years after leaving Barcelona. During that time, Man City gradually built a plan to lure Guardiola, appointing Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain as CEO and director of football, both of whom had worked at Barcelona.
When he joined Etihad in 2016, Guardiola seemed to feel no stranger. He was given everything by Man City, from money to players. The Citizens have succeeded in fulfilling Guardiola's great ambition, making Man City not only a top club in England and Europe but also in the world.
This model will be tested to its fullest extent if Guardiola leaves next summer when his contract expires. How can Man City replace the best coach in the world when they have spent so much time shaping the club in Guardiola’s image?
Man City need only look to Manchester United to understand the pain that can come when a legend leaves. The Etihad side under Guardiola have the same aura that Man United achieved under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Arne Slot has succeeded in replacing Jurgen Klopp, but Liverpool have had to refresh in many areas. They brought back Michael Edwards and Julian Ward, and appointed Richard Hughes as director of football.
If Guardiola leaves, Man City have a number of options. Michel has worked wonders at Girona, a La Liga club with the same owners as Man City. Since taking over in 2021, he has guided Girona from obscurity to Champions League qualification.
Ruben Amorim won his second Portuguese title with Sporting Lisbon last season and it seems only a matter of time before the tactician heads to England.
Amorim has turned down West Ham and Liverpool this summer, but his chances of moving to the Etihad could be further bolstered when Sporting's director of football Hugo Viana takes over from Begiristain next summer.
Then there is Vincent Kompany, the former captain of the blue half of Manchester. Currently, the Belgian strategist is trying his hand at Bayern Munich, an environment no less complicated than the Etihad.
All in all, Man City have certain options if they have to replace the irreplaceable.
