EPL: Why Man City will not replace Guardiola with Arteta, Maresca – Murphy

Former Liverpool midfielder, Danny Murphy, has claimed that Manchester City will not consider either Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta or Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca when they want to replace Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola is into the final months of his current City contract and is yet to confirm his next move.

Murphy believes Arteta and Maresca, who both worked under the Spaniard at the Etihad, will remain at their current jobs next summer.

According to him, City will go for a manager who has a track record of winning trophies if Guardiola quits.

In a Daily Mail column, he wrote: “It’s a massive compliment to Pep Guardiola that two of the brightest Premier League managers worked for him at Manchester City and have greatly improved Chelsea and Arsenal on what they learned.

“Enzo Maresca and Mikel Arteta will be in the conversation to succeed their mentor when Pep leaves because they already know the club so well.

“But I don’t think it’s going to happen. First, I suspect City will want a manager with experience of winning a major league or European competition.

“Just as importantly, I don’t believe even if they are courted by City either Maresca or Arteta would be prepared at this stage to sacrifice the projects they are building for the awkward challenge of following a legend.”