Richard Keys sounds the alarm about Guardiola’s future after United defeat
BeIN Sports host Richard Keys has made a spectacular claim about Pep Guardiola’s future at Manchester City, just hours after the club’s 2-0 away defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
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Guardiola failed to lead City to victory, as second-half goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu secured United a deserved victory under interim manager Michael Carrick.
Table-sad perspectives
City are currently in second place, but could be lost if Aston Villa beat or draw against Everton on Sunday.
A new season without a league title would be uncharted territory for Guardiola. Throughout his coaching career – at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City – he has never gone two full seasons without winning a championship.
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The contract that may not mean security
Although Guardiola signed a new two-year contract until 2027 in November 2024, the questions about his future will only increase if results do not turn around.
However, Keys goes a long way in his insinuations: he believes there is a real possibility that Guardiola may not even be on the bench for City’s next league game against Wolves on January 24. Before that, they will face Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League on January 20 at Aspmyra. In other words, there is a possibility that it will be Pep Guardiola’s last game as Manchester City manager.
“Don’t rule out his disappearance this week”
“I think it’s a finished matter that Guardiola will disappear at the end of the season. But don’t rule out him leaving the club as early as this week,” Keys said on beIN Sports.
“And if he does, Enzo Maresca will take over the responsibility for the game against Wolves. City will be furious and deny it of course, but it’s on his pins and needles – I assure you.”
Kompany in care as a long-term solution
Keys further claims that Guardiola will definitely leave the club in the summer, and that former City captain and current Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany will be the first choice as his successor.
Keys is adamant that Maresca – who left Chelsea on January 1 and is highly regarded in the City system – will be a temporary solution if Guardiola leaves immediately.
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Maresca’s connection to the City system
Maresca has worked for City on two occasions: first as a youth coach (2020/21), then as a first-team assistant to Guardiola during the historic “treble” season of 2022/23. After successful assignments at Leicester City and Chelsea, where he won the Conference League and Club World Cup, he is ready.
Kompany: Fate in the stars?
Kompany is contracted to Bayern Munich until 2029, but many speculate that he could be tempted back to the club he served in 360 games as a player.
Even Guardiola has predicted the Belgian’s future direction: “His destiny to become City coach is already written in the stars,” he told the club in 2023. ” It’s going to happen. I don’t know when, but it’s going to happen.”
Background to the speculation
The allegations come at a time City are fighting to bring Arsenal into the league, and after several sporting directors have been sacked. Regardless of how the situation develops, Keys has now put Guardiola’s position in Manchester on the agenda in a way few others have dared.
