Xabi Alonso’s stance on managing Man City before taking the Chelsea job has now been revealed

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Manchester City will be on the lookout for a new manager this summer after it emerged Pep Guardiola will be leaving at the end of the 2025/26 season.

The Spaniard will bring his City career to a close with 20 trophies in 10 years, potentially 21 if they can somehow pip Arsenal to the Premier League title on the final day.

As a result, whoever comes in will have some big shoes to fill, and it has now emerged that Xabi Alonso was open to stepping into the dugout at the Etihad Stadium before he took the Chelsea job.

Xabi Alonso was waiting for Manchester City job

Alonso was announced as the Blues’ new coach over the weekend after their defeat to Man City in the FA Cup final.

Prior to that, the 44-year-old had been out of work since the beginning of 2026 following an ill-fated spell with Real Madrid.

Regardless of his struggles with Los Blancos, though, Alonso had proven himself a top manager at Bayer Leverkusen, where he beat Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title.

He could well have been an ideal candidate to replace Pep as a result, and ESPN journalist Rodra recently reported that the ex-midfielder waited ‘months’ for Man City and Liverpool before eventually joining the West Londoners.

Speaking via X/Twitter, he stated: “Xabi Alonso has been waiting these months for Liverpool and Manchester City.

“Chelsea has convinced him with a very powerful proposal. Both in terms of decision-making power in the club and on the economic front.”

Update on Enzo Maresca to Manchester City

Regardless of what Alonso was hoping for, it seems like Man City only ever had eyes for Enzo Maresca.

Talk about the Italian replacing Pep has been rife for some time, and Fabrizio Romano has now said that a deal is all but agreed.

He stated via X: “Enzo Maresca has a total verbal agreement with Manchester City, HERE WE GO!

“The Italian manager has always been considered the ideal candidate to replace Pep Guardiola. Deal in place and Maresca will sign an initial three year deal at #MCFC.”

Maresca has previously guided Leicester City to Premier League promotion and has worked as part of Manchester City’s youth set-up in the past.