With Pep Guardiola’s future at Manchester City hanging in the balance, speculation about his successor has intensified.
The revered manager’s contract expires at the end of this season, and while he could renew, there’s a growing sense that he might seek a new challenge after nearly a decade of historic success at the Etihad. As City’s performance dips—four straight losses across all competitions—club leadership will inevitably start eyeing potential replacements, but Danny Murphy believes former Guardiola assistants Enzo Maresca and Mikel Arteta won’t be on the shortlist.
Murphy, writing for the Daily Mail, expressed doubt that City would consider Arteta or Maresca due to what he perceives as their relative inexperience on the biggest stages. While both have done well in their respective managerial roles, he argues that City’s board will likely prioritize a candidate who has proven themselves in major leagues or European competitions. As Murphy sees it, the ideal candidate will need the gravitas and experience to attract top talent—a trait he believes neither Maresca nor Arteta have fully acquired just yet.
“It’s a huge compliment to Pep that two of the brightest Premier League managers are his proteges,” Murphy said, acknowledging the significant influence Guardiola has had on both Maresca, now at Chelsea, and Arteta at Arsenal. “They’ve both elevated their teams based on what they learned from him. But that alone won’t put them in pole position to succeed him at City.”
Arteta, who served as Guardiola’s assistant for more than three years, has revitalized Arsenal, leading them to FA Cup success and two consecutive second-place finishes. Although Arsenal currently sit fourth in the Premier League, four points behind City, Arteta’s work has turned the Gunners into genuine title contenders again. Yet, as Murphy points out, Arteta has yet to clinch a major league title or European trophy as a head coach—credentials that could weigh heavily in City’s search for a replacement.
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Meanwhile, Maresca’s rapid rise has impressed but follows a similar pattern. After a brief stint as City’s under-23 boss, he worked as Guardiola’s assistant for a year before taking over at Leicester, where he promptly guided them to the Championship title. Now, he has brought that winning mentality to Chelsea, who are third in the league and currently level on points with Arsenal. Like Arteta, Maresca’s coaching record is on an upward trajectory, but he’s also yet to prove himself in Europe’s elite competitions, a reality Murphy believes could hinder his City ambitions.
In Murphy’s view, City’s priority will be experience at the highest levels—something both Arteta and Maresca lack, even with their shared Guardiola tutelage. Furthermore, with former Portuguese midfielder Hugo Viana stepping in as City’s new sporting director, the club may be inclined to seek a manager who can command respect across the dressing room, help lure top stars to the Etihad, and bring a steadying hand during this transitional period.
But it’s not only about experience for Murphy. He believes Arteta and Maresca may also be unwilling to take on the monumental task of following Guardiola. “Even if City were interested,” Murphy argued, “neither Arteta nor Maresca would likely be ready to sacrifice the projects they’re building to take on the daunting challenge of succeeding Pep.” Both are deeply invested in their respective clubs, and uprooting their visions could risk stalling the momentum they’ve worked hard to build.
For Arteta, this would mean abandoning the Arsenal project he’s carefully molded over the past few seasons, a team built around youth, vision, and his unique approach. Having integrated players like Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Declan Rice, Arteta’s side has taken on a formidable identity. Stepping away could mean sacrificing his chance to finally claim a Premier League title with the Gunners, something that would cement his legacy.
Likewise, Maresca has breathed new life into Chelsea, assembling a dynamic squad that’s quickly made an impact in the league. His success at Stamford Bridge, albeit early, suggests he has his sights set on establishing a long-term project there. Walking away could disrupt both his career trajectory and Chelsea’s upward progress—a decision that would require substantial risk tolerance.
Both Arteta and Maresca’s success proves Guardiola’s impact as a mentor, yet Manchester City’s board may see them as future candidates rather than immediate replacements. The search for Guardiola’s successor is likely to emphasize a manager with an established record of delivering at elite levels—someone who can seamlessly transition into a club accustomed to winning both domestic and European titles.
City’s approach to this looming managerial shift will carry lasting implications. If Guardiola does indeed depart, they’ll need a coach with tactical prowess, strong leadership, and a history of winning at the top levels—a profile that doesn’t yet fully align with either Arteta or Maresca. As both protégés continue to build their reputations at rival clubs, City’s next hire may have to come from outside the Guardiola lineage, as they look for a proven winner to uphold their lofty standards in a post-Pep era.