Mikel Arteta was a ‘genuine candidate’ to replace Pep Guardiola at Man City

He was an option even when he was 'struggling'.

Oct 13, 2024 - 04:00

Mikel Arteta was a ‘genuine candidate’ to replace Pep Guardiola at Man City

Mikel Arteta pictured watching his Arsenal team play against Manchester City — Mikel Arteta was an option even when he was ‘struggling’ at Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Manchester City have been looking at Pep Guardiola replacements for years, with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta previously a ‘genuine contender’ for the role.

That’s according to The Athletic, who report that City used to view Arteta as a potential option, even when he was ‘struggling slightly’ as Arsenal’s manager.

Since then, Arteta has transformed Arsenal into genuine Premier League title challengers, although they’ve narrowly missed out to City for the last two seasons.

There is no currently no indication that Arteta would swap Arsenal to take charge of City and the Spaniard is thought to be happy in his current role at the Emirates.

Arteta was working as Guardiola’s assistant when the Gunners decided to take a punt on him in 2019, brining him in as their head coach to replace Unai Emery.

The 42-year-old helped Arsenal clinch the FA Cup in 2020 – but they initially struggled in the Premier League under Arteta – finishing eighth in 2021.

After a fifth-placed finish the next season, Arsenal improved and challenged City for the top-flight title in 2022-23, eventually ending the campaign as runners-up.

Pep Guardiola pictured watching his Manchester City team play against Arsenal — Pep Guardiola is out of contract at the end of the season (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal finished second again last term – pushing City even closer – and they are hoping their long wait to be crowned English champions will end in May 2025.

Guardiola, meanwhile, is out of contract at the end of the season, which has led to lots of speculation over who may come in to replace him at the Etihad.

However, it should be noted that Guardiola is yet to indicate whether he intends to extend his deal with City or leave.

Along with Arteta, Patrick Vieira was also previously seen as a managerial option for City when he was preforming well as head coach of Crystal Palace.

Arteta and Vieira are no longer in the running but there a number of other managers who City are actively considering.

Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso, Tottenham’s Ange Postecoglou and former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi have all been linked to the role.