Next Manchester City Manager Odds: Michel Favourite To Take Over From Guardiola
As the chant "You're getting sacked in the morning" resonated around Anfield, Manchester City's beleaguered manager Pep Guardiola responded by holding up six fingers.
It was to remind the Liverpool choir that he had guided City to six Premier League titles, mostly at the expense of their team.
But a seventh title looks beyond City, who are fifth in the table, 11 points behind Liverpool, who stretched their lead to nine over second-placed Arsenal.
Manchester City are not expected to sack Guardiola, who recently signed a new two-year contract, but there are a number of candidates waiting in the wings to replace him.
We take a look at those leading the market on the best betting sites.
Michel Leads Race To Succeed Guardiola
Michel has done a wonderful job at Girona, taking them up into La Liga from the second tier of Spanish football and then securing a sensational top-four finish.
As a result of that achievement, Girona are currently playing Champions League football for the first time in their history.
The club from Catalonia are part of the City Football Group network, so it is relatively easy for deals to be done between the two teams (Savinho moved to the Etihad Stadium from Girona last summer).
Girona are currently seventh, 12 points behind leaders Barcelona, as they juggle Champions League fixtures with their league commitments.
It is therefore not a surprise to see that Michel is considered the favourite to succeed Guardiola, with football betting sites offering a best price of 9/4.
Next Permanent Manchester City Manager - Odds
Manager | Odds | Bookmaker |
Michel | 9/4 | |
Xabi Alonso | 7/2 | |
Vincent Kompany | 10/1 | |
Zinedine Zidane | 12/1 | |
Roberto De Zerbi | 16/1 | |
Julian Nagelsmann | 16/1 | |
Xavi Hernandez | 25/1 | |
Kieran McKenna | 25/1 | |
Mauricio Pochettino | 25/1 | |
Gian Piero Gasperini | 25/1 | |
Mikel Arteta | 25/1 |
Alonso Likely To Be High On City’s Wishlist
Xabi Alonso was widely expected to take charge of either Bayern Munich, Liverpool or Real Madrid earlier this year.
In the end, though, the Spaniard opted to stay at Bayer Leverkusen for at least one more year, but the German club’s fans are expecting Alonso to move on at some point soon.
The former midfielder is a talented manager and he would be a good stylistic fit for Manchester City.
However, he may well leave Leverkusen at the end of this season, so much depends on how long Guardiola sticks around. Alonso is a 7/2 shot to replace him.
Kompany Would Be A Popular Choice With City Fans
Vincent Kompany oversaw Burnley’s relegation to the Championship last term, but that did not prevent him being handed the reins at Bayern Munich.
The Belgian is off to a positive start in Bavaria, with Bayern top of the Bundesliga and also doing well in the Champions League, notwithstanding a 4-1 loss to Barcelona in October.
Bayern are four points clear of Eintracht Frankfurt after a 1-1 draw at Borussia Dortmund in the first Der Klassiker of the season.
Kompany is a Manchester City legend and he would be a popular pick with the club’s supporters.
However, it is still hard to work out how good a manager he really is. Kompany is available in this market at 10/1.
* Attention football fans, want to win the cost of your season ticket back? Enter our free competition below. A winner chosen every month this season.
Zidane In No Rush To Return To Management
Zinedine Zidane is a 12/1 shot to replace Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
Out of work since leaving Real Madrid for a second time in 2021, the former attacking midfielder appears to be holding out for the France job.
However, his iconic status within the game would arguably make him a smart selection to succeed the era-defining Guardiola.
Guardiola Has Spoken Warmly Of De Zerbi
Guardiola has spoken openly of his admiration for Roberto De Zerbi, who led Brighton to a sixth-place finish in the 2023/24 Premier League.
Now at Marseille, De Zerbi no doubt has ambitions to manage a club like Manchester City one day.
Marseille look to be the main rivals for Paris Saint-Germain for the Ligue 1 title this season, but already PSG are seven points clear.
The passionate Italian is priced at 16/1 to be next through the door at City after Guardiola.
Nagelsmann Will Return To Club Game One Day
Available at the same odds is Julian Nagelsmann, who presently leads the Germany national team.
There is little chance of him departing that role before World Cup 2026, but by that point Nagelsmann will probably be itching to return to the club game.
Right now, though, he is an outsider at 16/1 for the Manchester City job post-Guardiola.
Others in contention include Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeness (25/1) and Juventus boss Thiago Motta (25/1).
Stay In The Loop With Free Bets, Insider Tips & More!
Live Betting. Sports Promos. Sent Weekly.
