A torrid run of form for Manchester City between November and December has led to heavy question marks being raised over the future of current long-term gaffer Pep Guardiola.
Having won six Premier League titles since his arrival at the club in 2016, it will come as a surprise to many that Guardiola is even being considered for the sack.
However, a 2-2 draw against Brentford this week demonstrated just how inconsistent his team have been this season. Sixth place in the table with 21 games played, it has hardly been a fairytale campaign thus far.
Two goals in the last 10 minutes from Christian Norgaard and Yoane Wissa were enough to resign Manchester City to a draw, meaning they have only won 10 of their fixtures up to this point.
With pressure now mounting significantly on Pep Guardiola, it seems that multiple managers are being tipped to take the helm at the Etihad and restore City to their former glory of the past decade.
Current favourites
Xabi Alonso – 6/1
Current Bayer Leverkusen gaffer Xabi Alonso is tipped as the favourite to take over from Guardiola. 51 games without defeat last season sadly came to an end after an Ademola Lookan hattrick was able to fell Alonso’s side in the Europa League final and cause heartache for the Spaniard.
A 67% win rate and 2.2 points per game is a very impressive record with the previously average German outfit, especially considering the club had never won the Bundesliga before Alonso’s arrival.
Although they have not dominated again this season, Leverkusen have once again impressed, sitting one point behind Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, managing 41 goals in just 17 fixtures.
Alonso would appear to be a fantastic protege and successor to Guardiola at the Etihad, and, surprisingly, 6/1 odds provide good value for the former Liverpool player to take over the Cityzens.
Vincent Kompany – 10/1
Certainly a surprising choice, but current Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany has also been touted as a potential choice for the City hierarchy should Guardiola leave in the near future.
After jumping ship from relegated Burnley in the summer, Kompany made the change to Bavaria, and currently has Bayern sat atop the German top flight with 39 points from 16 games.
While it will have come as a surprise to many that Kompany was chosen for the job considering his inability to keep Burnley from the drop, few could have predicted that he would be able to return Bayern to their former potency considering their fall from grace last season.
Harry Kane has found the net 15 times in 14 appearances this season, with German starlet Jamal Musiala also finding himself on the scoresheet on nine occasions.
Overall, at 10/1 Kompany may still be an outside chance, but as a former captain of the club it would be silly to discount him considering his assertion of Bayern's Bundesliga dominance this term.
Michel – 10/1
Another left-field choice, Girona manager Michel has been given a fair chance of taking over at the Etihad. 49% win percentage and 1.6 points per game at the Spanish club, Michel led Girona to a Champions League spot last season, establishing the side as a competitive team.
While replication has proven tricky this time around, the club still sit in eighth place in the league, with top scorer Cristhian Stuani managing four goals.
Michel has been in charge at the Estadi Montilivi since July 2021, managing 160 matches and taking the club all the way from the doldrums of the Spanish second tier into the Champions League, which is testament to his capabilities.
While a jump to the Etihad may seem a big leap, every manager has to start somewhere, and the departure of Guardiola could open up a gateway into elite-level management for Michel. At 10/1, the bookies certainly see him as a contender for the job.
Lifelong Ipswich Town supporter who recently graduated from Durham University in French and German. Have developed a passion for European football based on my links abroad and am an avid supporter of Werder Bremen and Auxerre. Joined the MFT team in October 2024 and looking to take my first steps into the world of football journalism.
In December 2020 we sadly 
