Replacing a long-time coach has never been a simple story, and Premier League history has proven that many times.
When Sir Alex Ferguson left Manchester United in 2013, he left with the championship in hand, but at the same time left behind a team that had been eroded, making the transition to David Moyes a shock that the "Red Devils" had never truly overcome.
Jurgen Klopp did not leave Liverpool as champion, but he left behind a foundation good enough for Arne Slot to rise to the throne after only one year. Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger left Arsenal in 2018 without a title or a squad strong enough to compete, forcing Mikel Arteta to carry out a deep reform to bring the team back to the position of championship contender.
Manchester City may be about to enter a similar phase, as Pep Guardiola's future is still not guaranteed. Despite having a contract until 2027, there are increasing signs that the Spanish strategist may leave at the end of the season.
However, if that happens, he will leave Etihad in a very special context. Not only is he likely to finish with a title, but he will also leave behind a squad built to continue to develop strongly.
The victory over Arsenal helps Man City continue to closely follow the championship race, and at the same time nurture hopes of winning the domestic treble, as they already have the Carabao Cup and still have opportunities in both the Premier League and FA Cup. Even Ferguson in his most successful period did not leave in such an ideal situation.
The big difference lies in how Guardiola prepares for the future. In the past 18 months, he has witnessed the departure of many experienced players such as Ederson, Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gundogan or Kevin De Bruyne, but at the same time also brought into the squad young and potential factors such as Josko Gvardiol, Marc Guehi, Nico O'Reilly, Antoine Semenyo or Rayan Cherki. Man City's average age is currently just over 26, even lower in the starting lineup, showing that a sustainable development foundation has been established.
Whether Guardiola stays or leaves, The Citizens will continue to be invested in next summer, but in a selective addition direction instead of a comprehensive reform. The team needs specific replacements, not rebuilding from scratch. This is a big difference compared to what Man United has experienced since the Ferguson era.
Therefore, Man City is facing a rare scenario in the Premier League era. An coach can leave the top, leaving behind a team still strong enough to compete for titles for many years to come. Guardiola not only builds a winning team, but also creates a sustainable structure for the future.
If he decides to leave Etihad, it will definitely be a big loss. But unlike the volatile transitions in the past, Man City can continue to move forward without losing their identity. And if that happens, Guardiola will do something that even Ferguson, Klopp or Wenger have not been able to fully achieve. That is to leave in glory, and at the same time leave a team ready to continue to win.
