'I know manager who'd definitely be on Man City's radar – Pep Guardiola has strong opinion of him'

Former midfielder Dietmar Hamann has singled out as the prime candidate to take over the reins from . That is once the manager eventually leaves the club.

Guardiola has faced his worst season since taking charge of City in 2016. The 2024/25 campaign has been fraught with challenges both on and for the legendary manager, who is now battling to secure a spot with just two fixtures remaining.

The 54-year-old Catalan committed to City by last November, keeping him at the Etihad until June 2027. But questions linger about, especially as the new deal doesn't tie him down for many years to come.

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Guardiola, a six-time Premier League champion and Champions League winner with City, is not expected to continue beyond that point, having appeared jaded at points this season and confirmed that he will “take a break” once he leaves the club.

The mere thought of Guardiola's exit is bound to fill City’s supporters with dread. But Hamann, who represented the club from 2006 to 2009, sees his compatriot Nagelsmann as the ideal successor, claiming that the Etihad club currently have him on their radar.

Hamann even claims that Guardiola's era of dominance, in terms of winning trophies and influencing other managers, is “over”, paving the way for Nagelsmann to succeed him as the ’s best manager.

Speaking to , Hamann revealed his choice for Guardiola's City potential replacement: "Nagelsmann will definitely be an option because I believe that Pep has a high opinion of Nagelsmann."

Nagelsmann has managed the Germany national team since September 2023 and recently extended his contract to 2028, having taken Die Mannschaft to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, where they narrowly lost to eventual winners Spain.

And while Hamann believes Nagelsmann is worthy of succeeding Guardiola once he departs, he recognises there's a catch. The former Champions League winner admitted it is unlikely that Nagelsmann will leave his current role before the 2026 World Cup.

Hamann said: "He seems to be very rooted in the DFB and very happy. A World Cup is just around the corner. I don't think Nagelsmann would give up the World Cup in America, Mexico, South America or wherever they play for the job at .

"I don't think he will give that up. But he will be a topic of discussion."

Prior to taking up his current role, Nagelsmann made waves at Hoffenheim before turning RB Leipzig into title contenders in the Bundesliga. He was then appointed as boss, where his innovative tactics led the side to a league title in 2021/22.

Guardiola himself hasn't been shy in praising Nagelsmann’s talents either, saying back in 2018: “I'm really, really impressed [with Nagelsmann].

"Taking over Hoffenheim in such a bad situation so young. He will have a lot of success in his career. He’s already at a good team in a top competition. It’s the first time we meet, but hopefully it won’t be the last.

“There are young coaches who have come through like Julian Nagelsmann or Thomas Tuchel, who, if they coached in Spain, you’d think they were Spanish.”

City and Guardiola, meanwhile, have the opportunity to win their only major trophy this season on Saturday in the final against . They were knocked out of the Champions League by back in February and are currently one point off the top five in the Premier League.

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