Pep Guardiola is due to leave Manchester City this summer after a glittering decade-long spell at the Etihad Stadium. The Spaniard is set to bring the curtain down on a stunning stint with City that has seen him lift 20 trophies.
Guardiola has claimed six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League. He could yet add to that eye-watering haul before the end of the campaign.
Attention will now turn to finding Guardiola’s potential replacement, with all the signs pointing to it being ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca. The former might also be mulling over his next steps.
Guardiola has already hinted that a sabbatical - similar to the one he took after his spell with Barcelona - could be on the cards. But he may actually be tempted to step back into the dugout straight away should a few jobs become available:
Juventus
Guardiola has already ticked off Spain, Germany and England so he might want to experience another of Europe’s top-five leagues with a move to Italy. A few jobs could become available given the volatile nature of positions in Serie A but the one that sticks out the most is Juventus.
Once serial league winners, the Old Lady have not claimed the crown since 2020 under Maurizio Sarri. Guardiola would have plenty of resources on hand should he be tempted by a move to Turin.
Luciano Spalletti is also only on a contract until the end of the season so could be on the lookout for a new manager sooner rather than later.
Paris Saint-Germain
Another of the top five leagues that Guardiola has not tackled yet is Ligue 1. And the obvious candidates in which to do that is with reigning European champions PSG.
Of course, current boss Luis Enrique is in the role and reports have suggested that he is in line for a new contract at the Parc des Princes. But while he has still not put pen to paper on that deal, his job remains up in the air.
PSG would certainly be able to match Guardiola’s wage demands, while he would have the same amount of backing in the transfer market as at Man City. It just of course depends on what Enrique does over the coming months.
Spain
There are only a few clubs around the world that would be able to tempt Guardiola which means a move into international management could be far more likely. The 55-year-old could potentially end up coaching Spain at some point.
Any arrangement would certainly suit both, given the job would give Guardiola the chance to move into international coaching, while the Spanish national team would be getting one of the most talented managers in world football.
Much could depend on the future of Luis de la Fuente, though. He has already helped Spain to the Euros title but a disappointing World Cup could see him moved on.
Italy
One nation that won’t be at the World Cup is Italy. The European nation failed to qualify for this summer’s tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada, which saw boss Gennaro Gattuso depart the role.
He has been replaced by Silvio Baldini but he is only in a caretaker role. Given Guardiola spent time in Italy during his playing career with Brescia and Roma, he could be tempted to take the role as Italian football attempts to recover from their recent failure.
Brazil
Most will be surprised to see Brazil on this list given Carlo Ancelotti is currently at the reins and only penned a new deal earlier this year. Guardiola has been linked with the nation on a number of occasions during his career so they could potentially renew their interest should Ancelotti depart sooner than thought.
He might be forced to wait but it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Selecao and the Spaniard link up.
