A former Arsenal player has unexpectedly surfaced as another name under consideration as Manchester City intensify the quiet work behind their long-term search for the eventual successor to Pep Guardiola.
City have been preparing for life after the Catalan for some time, aware that his current deal runs until 2027 and determined to avoid the turbulence that can accompany a major transition.
Much of the internal planning has focused on squad building for the next era, but senior figures at the Etihad continue to maintain a broad and continually evolving shortlist of managers capable of taking over one of the most demanding roles in world football.
In recent months, speculation around City’s managerial future has grown steadily. The club’s interest in monitoring emerging coaching talent has been widely documented, with Bayern Munich’s Vincent Kompany and Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola regularly referenced as coaches who fit the club’s footballing values.
Now, another familiar figure from the modern European game has reportedly entered that conversation — one crafting an intriguing project in Italy.
According to reporting from Corriere della Sera, later translated and shared by Sport Witness, there is a belief in Italian football circles that Cesc Fàbregas could succeed Pep Guardiola and that he is unlikely to take charge of any club in Serie A beyond his current role.
Their information claims it will now only be “Barcelona or Manchester City” for the former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder, whose managerial path has begun gathering significant momentum.
The 38-year-old, still in the early phase of his coaching life, has been labelled a “snake charmer” in the Italian press — a nod to his ability to command a dressing room and impose a clear footballing identity.
Those close to Como’s rise say his interpretation of the game borrows heavily from Guardiola’s principles. Under his guidance, the club have moved swiftly from being a newly promoted side into one bold enough to compete for European football.
A managerial philosophy that aligns with City
Fàbregas’s growing presence on the managerial radar deepens the strategic puzzle inside City’s boardroom. His work at Como 1907 has been shaped around positional play, fluidity in possession and structured build-up patterns — the very mechanics Guardiola has used to redefine the Premier League landscape since arriving in 2016.
For a club determined to maintain a clear identity even after City boss eventually leaves, the similarities are difficult to ignore. Therefore, many believe Cesc Fàbregas could succeed Pep Guardiola.
Much like Kompany, who returned to Bayern Munich last summer, Fàbregas shares a personal and tactical bond with Guardiola that stretches back more than a decade to their time together at Barcelona.
Those who know the pair describe a shared appreciation for control, intelligent spacing and attacking discipline, elements City have prioritised in their senior football philosophy across all levels.
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Any appointment, however, will be shaped by a number of unpredictable variables — Guardiola’s own intentions, the form and availability of prospective candidates, and the timing of City’s succession decision.
Guardiola has given no indication he intends to step away before 2027, but City’s history suggests they prefer to be prepared several years ahead.
Fàbregas’s rapid rise means he is no longer viewed simply as a promising young coach but as a genuine contender, particularly if Como continue to outperform expectations. His impact in Italy has been notable: players speak openly about increased tactical clarity, analysts praise the structured patterns of play, and supporters have quickly warmed to the club’s ambitious transformation.
Meanwhile, City are expected to keep evaluating a number of coaches as the next few seasons unfold, with no urgency to narrow their options prematurely.
Kompany, for example, continues to gather high-level experience at Bayern, offering insight into how he handles Champions League and Bundesliga pressure. Iraola, meanwhile, is building a reputation in the Premier League for his high-intensity, organised style, and his name remains well regarded among City’s decision-makers.