With doubts surrounding Pep Guardiola’s future beyond this season, the next Man City manager odds are likely to see plenty of movement over the coming months.
Latest developments
Recently, City have been in an almighty slump, with five straight losses most recently being compounded by a capitulation at home to Feyenoord on Tuesday night, during which City gave up a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3. As a result, they look vulnerable to falling short of the UCL league phase’s top eight, or worse.
Guardiola himself put on a philosophical front, saying: “The situation is what it is. We played a good game but at that level we can't give them away.” Inwardly though, he will surely be fearing a P45, as his odds in the Premier League sack race market slowly shorten.
But City's latest humiliation isn’t their only problem. The nature of the goals conceded was near comical too, and far removed from the composed displays that City fans have grown accustomed to over the past eight years.
With a trip to Anfield coming up for the Citizens, there is every chance the situation could deteriorate before it improves. A loss to Premier League leaders Liverpool would put City 11 points adrift of the team that has been their closest rival in recent years.
Next Man City manager odds – Michel still the favourite
| Manager | Best odds |
|---|---|
| Michel |
4/1 |
| Ruben Amorim |
4/1 |
| Xabi Alonso |
4/1 |
| Vincent Kompany |
12/1 |
| Roberto De Zerbi |
16/1 |
| Zinedine Zidane |
18/1 |
| Mikel Arteta |
25/1 |
| Eddie Howe |
25/1 |
| Thiago Motta |
25/1 |
| Luis Enrique |
25/1 |
Last season, Michel stunned La Liga by taking Girona into the Champions League. Yet, like many other ‘surprise' UCL entrants – such as last season's Union Berlin side and Bologna's current crop – Girona haven't been able to sustain their prior momentum.
Regardless, Michel will always have that distinction. So too does he have a distinct advantage over his rivals to the next Man City manager, given that he is already at a club within the City Football Group.
That would make his potential appointment as City boss a relatively simpler process, should City fire Pep and go for a manager already in a job.
Like Guardiola, he has operated a positive version of possession-based football that would likely resonate well with the array of midfield maestros he could field, such as compatriot Rodri.
Comfortable working under a sporting director at Girona, Michel is also unlikely to make any major demands in terms of recruitment either.
Alonso remains Guardiola's main rival
Strangely, Ruben Amorim remains sporadically available at 4/1 to replace Pep, despite becoming Manchester United boss earlier this month. He can certainly be ruled out for the time being, meaning that Xabi Alonso is the most practical ‘alternate' pick to Michel.
While he has been seen as a future Liverpool manager given his connection with the club, the timing may end up working better for Alonso to take over at the Etihad, should he decide to leave Bayer Leverkusen.
If the City hierarchy simply decide that only the best will do, they could decide to go all-in for Alonso, who is widely regarded as one of Europe’s brightest young managers after a stunning season in Germany last term.
Outsiders to watch
Roberto De Zerbi
Although he is currently priced at 16/1 with most bookies, many would argue that Roberto De Zerbi is perhaps the most natural fit for Man City with his attack-minded, possession-based football.
Even in a slightly disappointing 2023/24 season for the Seagulls, De Zerbi’s side averaged 60.2% possession with a passing accuracy of 89.0%. Only three teams had a higher share of the ball, while only City could better Brighton’s passing accuracy.
While De Zerbi’s style is not a mirror image of Guardiola’s, there are obvious parallels. The Italian is now in charge of Marseille in Ligue 1, but it still feels like De Zerbi is destined to take one of the very biggest jobs in Europe in the coming years.
A move to Manchester would inevitably lead to speculation that the likes of Simon Adingra and Kaoru Mitoma could reunite with their former manager.
Both could flourish in a stronger team, but the competition would be fierce, with City already boasting some very talented wide and attacking midfield options.
Vincent Kompany
Given his status as a club legend, there’ll be a lot of intrigue in Manchester, should there ever come a time that the Belgian departs Bayern Munich. His popularity with the fanbase would certainly help smooth what’s likely to be a tricky transition for whoever replaces Pep.
Kompany is best priced at 12/1 to be the next boss at the Etihad, despite signing a three-year deal in Bavaria.
This job has Neil Lennons name all over it ?