Former Sergio Aguero believes Pep Guardiola’s eventual exit from Manchester City will not trigger the kind of downturn that followed Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement at Manchester United.
Speculation has gathered pace in recent weeks that Guardiola, who has overseen one of the most dominant eras in English football, could bring his time at the Etihad Stadium to a close at the end of the current campaign. Reports suggest there is a growing sense this may be his final season in charge, prompting City to weigh up future options.
Yet Aguero, the club’s record goalscorer and a central figure in their modern success, has dismissed fears of a dramatic regression. The Argentine striker, who spent a decade in Manchester and collected five Premier League titles, insists the club’s structure and long-term planning will ensure continuity beyond Guardiola’s tenure.
Guardiola has transformed City since arriving in 2016, guiding them to six league titles in nine seasons and delivering their first Champions League triumph in 2023 as part of a historic treble. His influence on the club’s playing style, recruitment model and winning mentality has been profound.
But Aguero is clear that, for now, talk of departure is premature.
“Pep has repeatedly stated in recent months that he has one more year on his contract, so there’s no point in speculating now about whether or not he’ll leave at the end of the season,” he said while speaking via Stake
Aguero’s own journey at City mirrors the club’s rise to prominence. Signed in 2011, he became the face of a new era, scoring 260 goals in 390 appearances across all competitions.
Three of his five league titles came under Guardiola’s leadership before he departed for Barcelona in 2021. Shortly after his move to Spain, a heart condition forced him to retire from professional football.
During his time alongside Guardiola, Aguero witnessed first-hand the evolution of City into a side capable of dominating both domestically and in Europe. Their 2023 Champions League victory represented the pinnacle of that project, completing a treble that cemented their place among the continent’s elite.
Such achievements inevitably raise questions about succession planning. History has shown that replacing a manager of extraordinary success can be fraught with difficulty. The shadow cast by Ferguson’s reign at Manchester United lingered long after his departure, with the club struggling to replicate their previous dominance.
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However, Aguero does not foresee a similar scenario unfolding at City.
“It’s always the case that when such a successful manager leaves, there’s some kind of reshuffling,” added Aguero, who is City’s all-time top scorer with 260 goals in 390 games in all competitions.
“But I have a feeling that City will know how to replace him very well when the time comes. A club, an institution like City, a club that has established itself among the elite, is much more than just a great manager. And whoever arrives will have a solid foundation to continue growing.”
Aguero knows better than most how transformative moments can shape a club’s trajectory. In May 2012, he etched his name into Premier League folklore with a stoppage-time winner against Queens Park Rangers that secured City’s first league title in 44 years. That goal symbolised the dawn of a new chapter, one defined by ambition and success.
Since then, City have evolved into serial winners. Guardiola’s appointment accelerated that process, introducing a style of play rooted in possession, positional discipline and relentless pressing. Under his stewardship, records have tumbled and domestic rivals have been left trailing.
Yet Aguero’s argument is that City’s identity is no longer dependent on one individual. The club, he suggests, has matured into an institution capable of sustaining excellence beyond a single managerial era.
