Seven Exciting Clubs That Could Snatch Pep Guardiola After His Man City Departure

Manchester City will soon be in need of a new manager, as Pep Guardiola prepares to depart after a decade at the Etihad Stadium during which he transformed the club into the dominant force in English football.

Guardiola joined in the summer of 2016 following three years at Bayern Munich and, after an initial settling-in period, guided City to the Premier League's first and still only 100-point season.

City subsequently became the first English club to claim four consecutive league titles, while his 2022–23 treble marked only the second time an English side had won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in a single season—equalling Manchester United's historic 1998–99 achievement.

This season, widely expected to be his final one before City turn to former assistant and ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, Guardiola has already secured a domestic cup double. A domestic treble remains possible should they manage to wrestle the Premier League title away from Arsenal.

While City's succession plan appears to already be in place, what lies ahead for Guardiola himself remains an open question.

Back in 2018, the proud Catalan spoke candidly about his ambition to manage a national side, a desire that could still shape his next move—whether that comes in the near future or after a period of rest.

"In our lives we have dreams of what we'd like to do in the future, but it doesn't mean it's going to happen," Guardiola said at the time.

"I would like to experience a World Cup and a European Championship as a manager. I would love to be in that environment. When I watch the World Cup, I think I want to be there. I only had one opportunity as a player [in 1994]. In eight, 12, 14 years perhaps it could happen. It's simply a dream I carry as a coach and as a person. Maybe it comes true, maybe it doesn't."

Revisiting the subject in 2024, he remarked: "What I'm not going to do is leave Manchester City and move to another country. I simply wouldn't have the energy for that."

Paris Saint-Germain

Another move in club management seems unlikely, though it can never be entirely ruled out. There are very few realistic destinations for a manager of Guardiola's stature, which severely narrows the possibilities.

The idea of Guardiola taking charge of another club in England, Germany or Spain seems far-fetched, and Italian football no longer holds the same appeal—or financial clout—it once did. However, Paris Saint-Germain, should Luis Enrique move on within the next couple of seasons, represents a fascinating possibility. The relative lack of domestic competition in France could also make the role less taxing.

Enrique has already helped PSG overcome their longstanding Champions League hoodoo, but the prospect of Guardiola making history as the first manager to lead three separate clubs to Champions League glory could prove irresistible. Given PSG's current squad, it would be a very achievable feat.

Guardiola currently shares the record with Enrique, Jupp Heynckes, Ottmar Hitzfeld, Ernst Happel, José Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti as managers who have won European Cups with two different clubs.

Spain

The most natural national team fit for Guardiola would be his homeland: Spain.

The former midfielder earned 47 caps for La Roja between 1992 and 2001, missing several major tournaments due to injuries that kept him out of Euro '96 and the 1998 World Cup. In 1992, he captained Spain to Olympic gold on home soil at the Barcelona Games.

The conclusion of a tournament cycle often triggers managerial changes, and a disappointing summer could put pressure on current boss Luis de la Fuente. However, whether Guardiola—a known supporter of Catalan independence—would be willing to take the role remains a significant question.

When he addressed this specifically in relation to Spain eight years ago, he suggested it was "not going to happen," so much would depend on whether his stance has evolved since then.

Italy

Italy could represent a compelling challenge for Guardiola. The Azzurri are one of the most celebrated national teams in history—only Brazil (five) has lifted more World Cups than Italy's four—yet failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup in 2026 has amounted to nothing less than a national crisis.

Italy's commanding triumph at Euro 2020 makes their persistent inability to qualify on the global stage all the more baffling. The opportunity to bring Guardiola in to revitalise the squad is one the Italian football federation (FIGC) in Rome would find very hard to ignore.

Guardiola also has a personal connection to the country, having represented both Brescia and Roma in Serie A during the twilight of his playing career.

England

Another intriguing option would be England, the country Guardiola has called home for the past decade—the place where he has lived longer than anywhere outside of Barcelona.

Current Three Lions head coach Thomas Tuchel is contracted through to after Euro 2028, which opens up a few different scenarios. The German has yet to oversee England at a major tournament, having only taken charge in early 2025, so a disappointing World Cup—in which the team will be among the favourites—could prompt the Football Association to reconsider his position later this year.

Alternatively, if Guardiola opts for a sabbatical to rest and recharge and Tuchel reaches the end of his deal in a couple of years without an extension, it could create a seamless handover.

Mexico

Mexican football is certainly not lacking in passion or ambition. The potential is enormous, yet so is the frustration—ahead of the upcoming World Cup on home soil, El Tri has suffered seven round-of-16 exits in the last eight tournaments and has not reached the quarterfinals in four decades.

Could Guardiola be the catalyst to propel the team to new heights?

Mexico's football federation (FMF) has considerable financial resources, and while local favourite Javier Aguirre is currently serving his third stint as manager, there has historically been an openness to bringing in high-profile foreign coaches—such as Gerardo 'Tata' Martino and Sven-Göran Eriksson.

As with Italy, Guardiola has a prior connection to Mexico, having played there briefly for Dorados before hanging up his boots for good in 2006.