Manchester City ‘open to the idea’ of Pep Guardiola successor coming from Portugal – Interest also retain in Bundesliga coach | OneFootball

Officials within the Etihad Stadium are likely to turn to one of two coaching profiles in Europe, should Pep Guardiola opt to leave the club in the coming months or years.

The Catalan coach continues to weigh up his future with his immediate family, having been granted time and space by his current employers to make a decision in peace, while his existing Manchester City contract expires at the end of the season.

Despite recent links to the managerial position within the England national team, that was recently taken by Thomas Tuchel, Guardiola has reiterated that he is yet to make a decision on his future when speaking to the press this week.

The 53-year-old said on Friday afternoon, “When I take it [a decision], I will inform you, for sure, 100 per cent. That’s why there is no news, and that’s why I don’t have to add absolutely anything else. Wolves is my priority.”

Pep Guardiola continued later in his address with the media by admitting that he believes the club will already have candidates in mind to succeed him for when he ultimately does leave the club, such is the well-prepared nature of the organisation at the top.

And according to the information of The Athletic, with regards to Sporting CP’s Hugo Viana and Ruben Amorim, there are ‘those who know the two of them in Portugal’ who are ‘convinced’ the former will want the 39-year-old tactician alongside him in Manchester.

And Viana himself may have received the ultimate early boost from his soon-to-be employers, with the report stating that Manchester City themselves are open to the idea of Amorim succeeding Pep Guardiola in the Etihad Stadium dugout.

However, the Premier League champions simultaneously have one eye on Bayer Leverkusen’s highly sought-after coach Xabi Alonso, who is also said to be of interest following his outstanding exploits in the German game last season.

Pep Guardiola is one of the longest-standing manager’s even in the history of the Premier League, and when asked for his response as to why he feels that has taken place, the Catalan has credited those above him as well as his players for their remarkable achievements.

“You are completely right, I didn’t expect. But it happened because we won a lot. Otherwise, my chairman adores me, but he would have sacked me if the results were not good,” Guardiola said this week.

“The relations, whatever happens, are there and will be there. But it has been a long time because we won a lot. There is no secrets.

“Here it doesn’t matter where you are born; if you don’t win, your position, everyone asks you to be sacked. And if you win and have success, the people support you. So it’s not much more complicated than that.”

Manchester City will return to their relentless day-to-day schedule from this weekend, as they travel to a winless Wolves side hoping to get their season back on track after a disastrous opening few months working under Gary O’Neill – who retains the support of the club’s board.