PEP GUARDIOLA has a clear idea of who is next in line for the Manchester City throne.
That’s according to former president Uli Hoeness, who claims Pep dropped the bombshell during a phone call last year.
Guardiola will have been at Man City for 11 years by the time his contract expiresCredit: Getty
Uli Hoeness has spilled the beans on his chat with GuardiolaCredit: Getty
Hoeness and other senior figures affiliated with Bayern were scouring the market for managers to replace in the summer of 2024.
Vincent Kompany’s name came up despite the fact he’d only just led to Premier League relegation.
And it took a chinwag with ex-Bayern boss Guardiola, who managed Kompany at , to convince the Germans to take the plunge.
Speaking at the recent ‘Power Days’ business event, Hoeness said: “Kompany learned a lot from Pep Guardiola.
“When [sporting director] Max Eberl suggested Kompany as the third or fourth option, Karl-Heinz [Rummenigge] and I called Pep Guardiola, with whom we are both very good friends, and asked him.
“Pep said, ‘You can take him blindly, he’s a fantastic coach, he’ll even take over Man City someday when I’m no longer there.’”
Guardiola is under contract at City until the summer of 2027.
By that point the former manager will have been in the hot seat for 11 years, and not many would be surprised if he decides to end his reign there.
Kompany has built a formidable team at BayernCredit: Getty
Whether Kompany will be in a position to take the job remains to be seen.
The Belgian is one of City’s greatest-ever captains, winning four Premier League titles with them as well as six domestic cups.
And his Bayern team are absolutely flying. They’ve only dropped two points in 12 Bundesliga games, and the goals are flying in with Harry Kane leading the charge.
But Kompany refused to be drawn into talk of an emotional City return – even when directly confronted with Hoeness’ comments.
He explained: “I’ve often said, I’m not here to comment on Uli Hoeness’ statements.
“I have huge respect for him. But in football I can’t think that far ahead, my focus is on Bayern and what we can achieve now.
“I like to just live in the world I have in front of me now, that takes up all my time. I have zero thoughts about other teams, I only see FC Bayern.”
The Belgian went down as a Man City legendCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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