There was a massive blow dealt to Manchester City on Friday. The club found out that they had been slapped with a two-season ban from UEFA club competition. It’s all to do with alleged breaches to financial rules.
The Citizens, of course, are crying foul over the whole thing and are going to take things to Court of Arbitration for Sport. But as it stands, they have no UEFA club competition for two seasons, starting in the 2020/21 campaign.
Pep’s future in question?
It of course has immediately raised questions about the future of Pep Guardiola. Pep has a fair old obsession it’s claimed, with the UEFA Champions League. After delivering some incredible success at Man City on the domestic front, that UCL title has eluded him so far during his time with the current English champions.
While there is a chance that it could happen for him and City this season, Friday’s bombshell has naturally raised questions about whether Pep stays at the Etihad or goes. There is also the burning question of how soon?
Who would take over after Guardiola?
Maybe he’s aggrieved at the City hierarchy right now and wants out? Perhaps Pep would walk if an appeal fails?
Perhaps his time at the club would end if the Citizens were to win the UEFA Champions League this season.
Regardless of when, at some point, the partnership will end.
Who then will Manchester City turn to? Imagine if Pep left at the end of the season, regardless of winning the Champions League or not. That would leave City, if their appeal to CAS fails, in a tough spot.
They would be searching for a top manager to try and replace one of the greatest ever bosses in the modern game, and with no European club football.
Next Permanent Man City Manager Odds*
Mauricio Pochettino 5/2
Brendan Rodgers 9/2
Julian Nagelsmann 7/1
Giovanni van Bronckhorst 12/1
Massimiliano Allegri 12/1
Erik ten Hag 14/1
Thomas Tuchel 16/1
Mikel Arteta 16/1
Antonio Conte 20/1
Zinedine Zidane 20/1
Laurent Blanc 20/1
Carlo Ancelotti 20/1
Diego Simeone 25/1
Nine Espirito Santo 25/1
Didier Deschamps 25/1
33/1 bar
* (betting odds taken from Paddy Power on February 15th 2020 at 03:40)
Premier League Betting at Paddy Power
Table of Contents
Pochettino? Rodgers?
There are some fascinating names on the list. Would Mauricio Pchettino be thinking that he won’t jump into a job anytime soon? That maybe he should hold on until the summer.
The former Spurs boss would be a natural replacement given the brand of football that he likes to play. There’s also the proven consistency in the Premier League during his time with Tottenham.
Pochettino is right up there as the 5/2 favourite in Next Man City Manager betting* (betting odds taken from Paddy Power on February 15th 2020 at 03:40).
Would Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers take the job? What about Pep Guardiola’s former assistant Mikel Arteta? Many thought that he was being groomed for the role after Pep. But he jumped ship to take over at Arsenal at the end of last year.
Nuno a decent outside punt?
Surely Wolves’ Nuno Espirito Santo would have his name thrown into the hat and doesn’t have bad early appeal as a big 25/1 shot in the Next Manchester City Manager betting market. Especially if Wolves don’t make it there next season* (betting odds taken from Paddy Power on February 15th 2020 at 03:40).
Ironically, if Man City stay banned, UEFA may open up the 5th place in the EPL for a qualification spot. What if Wolves were to take that fifth place and then give Nuno a bigger reason to stay at Molineux?
Big club, big names on the list
All of Europe’s big names like Zinedine Zidane, Antoino Conte and Carlo Ancelotti are on the list. Atletico Madrid’s Diego Siemone is a very interesting one, but it would be a vast change-up in style if City were to go after him. Simeone is a proven campaigner though and is out at 25/1 alongside Nuno* (betting odds taken from Paddy Power on February 15th 2020 at 03:40).
Nagelsmann or Ten Hag a better fit?
A couple of very interesting names on the list are current RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann and Erik ten Hag. Nagelsman has long been hailed as a future Bayern Munich boss.
But the work he has done with Leipzig, turning them into a Bundesliga title contender could pique City’s interest. Although it does look like Leipzig will be going to the Champions League next season.
Ajax boss Erik ten Hag has won plaudits, left right and centre for his work with the Dutch giants. Ajax have played some stunning football under him and that would be something that would, more likely than not, appeal to City.
But like Leipzig, Ajax are likely to be going to the Champions League next season.
Will City have to fight for who they want?
So IF Pep doesn’t stick around at the Etihad at the end of the season, are City going to have to fight for a manager?
Even the likes of the currently-out-of-work Mauricio Pochettino or Massimiliano Allegri, are likely to be attracting attention from big clubs who will be playing on Europe’s biggest club stage next season.
It could be extremely hard for City to pry someone like Erik ten Hag or Nagelsmann away from their current projects. What a strange position it would be if City couldn’t get the man that they really wanted for any rebuild project in life after Pep.
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