Former Manchester United captain, Wayne Rooney, has expressed his desire for Pep Guardiola to continue his tenure at Manchester City beyond the current season. According to Rooney, Guardiola has set a high standard in football management that serves as a benchmark for other managers.
Guardiola, 55, took over the reins at Man City in 2016 and since then he has led the team to six Premier League titles. The team is also currently in contention for their seventh title this season under his leadership. His strategic approach and successful track record have earned him admiration from fans and fellow professionals alike.
Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney, said
"Some players will want him to leave, some will want him to stay, it depends whether you are in the team or not and that is the same for any manager. I hope he stays because he is brilliant for the Premier League and you want the best managers in the Premier League.
"He has set a benchmark over the past 10 years for everyone else."
However, there are speculations about whether or not Guardiola will remain as manager next season. It is expected that a decision on his future with Man City will be made towards - or after - the end of this campaign.
Potential successors
In December last year, former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was heavily linked with a return to Man City where he previously worked as a coach under Guardiola. This sparked discussions about potential successors should Guardiola decide to step down.
Despite these rumors though, Rooney believes that someone who understands the culture of Man City would be better suited to take charge if necessary. He suggests that a club legend who previously played under Guardiola could potentially fill those shoes more effectively than an external candidate like Maresca.
Wayne Rooney added:
"If Pep does go, they have to go and get [current Bayern Munich boss] Vincent Kompany. He knows the club, he has been successful with Bayern in a similar way. It looks like he has learned from Pep. Pep will probably choose the next manager. If he is going, he will probably be part of the process to choose the next one.
"I just think in terms of Pep, he looks at himself as a bit of a teacher and he has been at the club for 10 years, he will want to leave the club in a good place."
As we await official confirmation on Pep Guardialo's future at Manchester city beyond this season, it is clear that his influence on the club and English football as whole cannot be understated. His success speaks volumes about his capabilities as a manager and it’s no surprise why many including Wayne Rooney want him to stay put.
