Manchester City will never be the same again. But part of Pep Guardiola’s incredible legacy he leaves behind should ensure that the drop-off may not be as cataclysmic as many believe it will be.
City’s unrelenting pursuit of trophies often ensures their exorbitant growth off the pitch is overlooked. When Guardiola came in, he arrived to work as part of a winning team of senior figures, alongside chief executive Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain. From the start, the trio went about revolutionising the club in all areas.
What Guardiola has helped create will stand the test of time. While on the face of it, Enzo Maresca seems like an underwhelming successor, sources have told The i Paper that the whole point of bringing the former City assistant coach in over a bigger name is that he understands the journey the club is on and will ensure continuity in all departments.
The i Paper understands CEO Soriano, who has been instrumental in making City the global behemoth it has become, plans to stay put. That will make the transition process as smooth as possible.
City’s impressive sales pitch to potential signings has been consistent for years. According to one agent who has listened to City’s message recently, it can be summed up in a few words: “You are joining a world-class, elite club that is not going anywhere.”
City’s ‘world-class’ facilities
Pep Guardiola FC? The chance to work with the Catalan has always held huge appeal for stars who can take their pick of the Premier League’s best. But City’s attraction – in part thanks to Guardiola’s success – is now about much more than just the man in the dugout.
Years of investment mean they have some of the best training and medical facilities in the land, with top operators working there. Their City Football Academy, which was the first to take in innovative facilities such as a state-of-the-art cryotherapy suite designed for elite player recovery and sleep pods, has become the benchmark for what big clubs must offer. Rivals Manchester United have only just built a similar centre, a decade after their counterparts.
Kayode is one of City’s summer targets (Photo: Reuters)City’s hierarchy also regularly review, extend and improve contracts for those who perform for them. Phil Foden has recently agreed a new four-year deal and Erling Haaland is committed for a decade. How they are able to offer such inflated wages is where the controversy begins. Guardiola leaves without having seen a verdict over the 115 charges City are facing for alleged Premier League financial rule breaches.
Transfer pulling power
Recent arrivals seem to have bought into the pitch that the club is more than the manager. Antoine Semenyo had options in January but one source close to the player tells The i Paper that his mind was made up as soon as heard City’s hard sell. That despite the fact Manchester United, who bungled the signing in the summer, were ready to offer him more. “City just made him feel more wanted,” the insider says.
New sporting director Hugo Viana has impressed several sources with his seamless start to life in England and is well-liked in the game. The incoming Maresca will find a much better structure to work in than the top-heavy organisation he left at Chelsea. Power lines are well-devised and the opinion of the manager is respected.
City are the masters at succession planning, with sources adding that Viana and other senior figures have even identified the next manager after Maresca. It is assumed former captain Vincent Kompany will manage City one day but he has unfinished business at Bayern Munich.
Maresca is seen as the best bet in the short term, but Kompany has been earmarked as a coach capable of guiding City to more success in the future, one who could stick around for a similar length of time to a man the Belgian owes his coaching ideas to.
City’s three main transfer targets
With Guardiola’s successor set in stone in typically quick time, City are looking to strike decisively in the transfer market again this summer with money to spend.
Insiders believe a deal for Elliot Anderson is well advanced and Guardiola’s departure will not disrupt the transfer, even though Manchester United intend to make a serious play for the England international.
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Daniel Storey: Arsenal took your hate and won the title with it Daniel Storey: This is the end of Man City as we know itThe player is understood to be keen and Maresca is said to be on board with the signing. A marquee midfielder is inevitable, with Bernardo Silva following Guardiola out the door.
City also want a right-back and have genuine interest in Brentford’s Michael Kayode, who was nominated for the Premier League’s Young Player of the year award earlier this month.
Planning extends beyond this summer. The i Paper has been told they have earmarked Bournemouth’s Junior Eli Kroupi, who is not for sale until 2027, as a future target.
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