'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Julian Nagelsmann | RB Leipzig
While many expected Julian Nagelsmann to join German champions Bayern Munich after he departed from TSG Hoffenheim, the German took up the job at RB Leipzig and has, so far, done a phenomenal job at the Red Bull Arena. The 33-year-old has been one of the most exciting managers in recent years and has been tipped for a big one in the near future, after having already rejecting an offer from Real Madrid.
The record-breaking German recently achieved another milestone as he became the youngest manager to enter the UCL semi-finals. He guided his fearless Leipzig side to their maiden appearance in the penultimate stage of the competition. Nagelsmann set his side up to play some high-octane football, and they dominated the 2014 and 2016 finalists Atletico Madrid to dump them out of the competition in the previous round.
His record at Leipzig is quite impressive as he's overseen 29 wins, 15 draws, and just seven losses, scoring 118 goals in the process during his debut campaign. With more time and resources at the Red Bull Arena, based on the evidence of his first season, he will only get better — and could be lined up as a replacement for Guardiola at City in the future.
#2 Mauricio Pochettino | Ex-Tottenham Hotspur
One of arguably the three best coaches in the world without a club, Mauricio Pochettino's case as Guardiola's heir is one that doesn't need too much of an explanation. The Argentine's body of work at Tottenham Hotspur and how he managed to elevate the club from mid-table mediocrity to UCL regulars is simply sensational.
Pochettino inherited an ageing, weak squad and built his side around a core group of both young and experienced players including the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Toby Alderweireld, and several others and turned them into household names. With the little resources available to him, the 48-year-old got Spurs to play some brilliant football and came ever so close to winning their first-ever UCL, but were beaten to it by Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool in the final.
In just under 400 matches with the North London club, Pochettino recorded 160 wins, 60 draws, and 73 losses, with many of them coming in the transitional period upon taking over in 2014. His man-management ability and an affinity for expansive, attacking football could appeal to the City hierarchy, and he will be a name that they are likely to consider in the event of Guardiola's departure.
#1 Massimiliano Allegri | Ex-Juventus, AC Milan
In terms of accolades, results, and overall credentials, there is perhaps no available coach without a club that could match those of Max Allegri. The Italian, formerly of Juventus and AC Milan, guided the former to four Coppas Italia, five (!) successive Serie A titles and two Champions League finals in three years, albeit unfortunately losing both to Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The 53-year-old has an uncanny knack of being able to grind out results, emphasising on organization and the structure of his team. This isn't to say that he is the most defensive coach in the world as his Juventus side averaged 1.93 goals per game across just over 270 games in charge, highlighting the consistency of Allegri's approach.
The Italian's know-how of the game and experience, in particular, places him above the likes of Pochettino and Ten Hag, who could be argued as better stylistic fits for City. Allegri has overseen 191 wins, 41 draws, and 39 losses across all competitions at Juventus, conceding 208 goals in 271 matches while scoring a staggering 524. In terms of credentials, Allegri is perhaps the name that City could regard highly among available managers.
Also read: 10 Most expensive footballers from famous footballing nations
