Mauricio Pochettino ‘in pole position to replace Pep Guardiola’ with future of Manchester City boss in doubt after club’s two-year ban from Europe
- Mauricio Pochettino is the favourite to become the next Manchester City boss
- City could lose Pep Guardiola this year if their European ban by UEFA is upheld
- The club were banned from playing in Europe for two years after FFP breaches
- Pochettino has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United this year
- But City could pip their rivals to Pochettino’s signature if Guardiola opts to leave
Mauricio Pochettino is the front-runner for the Manchester City job if Pep Guardiola leaves this summer.
The Citizens were banned from European competition for the next two seasons by UEFA for breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.
With the Champions League the only trophy that has eluded City since Pep Guardiola’s rival, the Spaniard’s future at the Etihad Stadium has been clouded in serious doubt.
Mauricio Pochettino (L) is the favourite to take over from Pep Guardiola (R) at Manchester City
And in the case of the eventuality, former Tottenham Hotspur boss Pochettino has been lined up as Guardiola’s successor, according to the Sun.
The Argentinian has been out of a job since being sacked by Spurs in early December, just six months after leading the north London club to their first ever Champions League Final.
Pochettino has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester over the past 12 months – but many believed that move will be one Manchester United given the growing pressure on current Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.
The 47-year-old was caught on camera standing next to United’s new PR contact Neil Ashton in midweek during a Championship match between Brentford and Leeds United.
The Argentinian boss has been out of a job since being sacked by Tottenham in December
However, City are reportedly poised to step in and pip their rivals to Pochettino’s signature, despite unable being to guarantee Champions League football at the Etihad Stadium until 2022.
Despite UEFA’s announcement that the club have been banned from competing in Europe for the 2020/21 and 2021/ seasons, City have said that they will appeal the ruling which could change the course of the club’s immediate future in Europe.
Not only would the ruling eradicate their chances of winning the Champions League in the near future, but it could also cost the club up to £170million in revenue during this period.
City have been banned from playing in Europe for 2022 due to financial overspending
Guardiola’s future at the Etihad Stadium is in serious doubt if they cannot play in Europe
Furthermore, the club are not only sweating over the future of Guardiola – but also their attempts to keep hold of their key players – such as Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero – should they lose their licence to play in Europe.
City’s Spanish manager is currently odds-on (1/2 – Ladbrokes) to leave the club at the end of the season, depsite him having a contract until 2021.
Pochettino is priced at 5/2 to become the new City manager, while Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers (9/2) and RB Leipzig manager (7/1) are also names in the frame.
Other names linked to the role are former Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri, while Giovanni van Bronckhorst – Guardiola’s teammate at Barcelona during his playing days – was given an all-access inside role at the club earlier this season.
City have said they will appeal UEFA’s ban which could change their damning fate
However reports say the club have lined up Pochettino as a replacement if Guardiola leaves