Manchester City Next Manager Odds: Luis Enrique Leads Race as Guardiola Era Nears Potential End
Rumors of Pep Guardiola leaving have begun to swirl more and more as the 2025-2026 campaign has continued. City may look at a new manager, with leaders like Luis Enrique, Enzo Maresca, and Oliver Glasner. Jack Borovitz speculates who may be next up as of Saturday, January 17th.
Jack Borovitz - January 17, 2026, 7:00 PM EST
5 Minute ReadManchester City Next Manager Odds: Luis Enrique Leads Race as Guardiola Era Nears Potential End
Pep Guardiola signed a contract extension in November 2024 to keep him at Manchester City through June 2027. But despite the ink barely drying on that deal, speculation continues to mount that the 2025-26 campaign could mark the final chapter of his decade-long reign at the Etihad Stadium. City have reportedly begun succession planning behind the scenes, and the betting markets are taking that seriously.
The odds paint a clear picture of who's in the mix. Luis Enrique leads the board at +250, followed closely by recently sacked Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca at +300. Crystal Palace's departing FA Cup winner Oliver Glasner sits at +350, while newly available Xabi Alonso comes in at +500. Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola and City assistant Pep Lijnders round out the field at +800 each.
Guardiola himself has told City to "be prepared" for his eventual departure, and while he's made no definitive statement about leaving this summer, growing anticipation within football circles suggests the club are taking that advice seriously. City's infrastructure remains strong with sporting director Hugo Viana and chief executive Ferran Soriano in place, but replacing the most successful manager in club history presents a challenge that crosses between continuity and evolution.
The market reflects City's desire for an elite manager in his prime, someone who can maintain the standards Guardiola established while navigating the inevitable transition period. Here's where the betting public stands on who will take the Etihad throne when Guardiola eventually steps down.
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Manchester City Next Manager Odds
Next Manager | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
Luis Enrique | +250 | 28.6% |
Enzo Maresca | +300 | 25% |
Oliver Glasner | +350 | 22.2% |
Xabi Alonso | +500 | 16.7% |
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Manchester City Next Manager Odds Breakdown
Luis Enrique +250 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
The PSG boss sits as the betting favorite for good reason. Enrique is one of two managers in history to win the treble with two different clubs, having achieved it at Barcelona and then again with PSG last season when they captured their first Champions League title. His contract at Parc des Princes runs through 2027, but reports suggest tension over an extension, with whispers that he's eyeing a new challenge in the Premier League.
Enrique knows how to follow Guardiola, having done exactly that at Barcelona where he won the treble in his first season. His tactical intensity matches what City demand, and his track record of managing elite expectations while delivering silverware makes him a logical successor. The challenge is convincing PSG's Qatari ownership to let him go to a club owned by their Abu Dhabi rivals.
Enzo Maresca +300 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Maresca's availability changed the equation entirely. The Italian was sacked by Chelsea on New Year's Day after an 18-month spell that included winning the Conference League and Club World Cup but ended in a breakdown with the club's hierarchy. His links to City run deep, he served as Guardiola's assistant during the 2022-23 season before leading Leicester City back to the Premier League.
Reports indicate City spoke to Maresca twice while he was still at Chelsea, conversations that reportedly contributed to his Stamford Bridge exit. He understands the club's playing philosophy from the inside and has shown he can implement similar tactical principles. At 45, he represents the profile of an up-and-coming manager who could grow into the role while maintaining stylistic continuity.
Oliver Glasner +350 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Glasner announced he will leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season after leading the Eagles to their first major trophy in club history, a 1-0 FA Cup final victory over Manchester City last May. That result alone puts him on City's radar, but it's the tactical evolution he's overseen at Selhurst Park that makes him a serious candidate.
The 51-year-old Austrian also delivered a Community Shield win over Liverpool and has Palace competing for European places despite limited resources. His flexible approach to formations and ability to develop attacking players has drawn admiration across the Premier League. The question is whether City view him as ready for the step up to managing a squad chasing quadruples rather than mid-table security.
Xabi Alonso +500 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Alonso's stock took a hit after Real Madrid sacked him in January following just 233 days in charge. The former midfielder arrived at the Bernabeu as one of football's brightest young managers after leading Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title, but friction with players and failure to implement his tactical vision led to a swift exit.
Despite the Madrid setback, Alonso remains one of the game's most highly rated young coaches. He played under Guardiola at Bayern Munich and shares a tactical philosophy built on possession and positional play. His availability this summer makes him an attractive option if City believe the Madrid experience was more about club dysfunction than managerial failure.
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