Manchester City are understood to be compiling a shortlist of three potential candidates to succeed Pep Guardiola, with mounting speculation that the current campaign will mark his final term at the Etihad.
Xabi Alonso, Enzo Maresca, and Cesc Fabregas are anticipated to be under consideration for the role.
The six-time Premier League winner, now 55, saw his side surrender a two-goal advantage at Tottenham on Sunday, leaving them trailing Arsenal by six points.
Rival clubs and figures across the top flight increasingly sense that Guardiola will depart following a decade at the helm.
Man City chiefs are growing in their belief that Pep Guardiola will leave at the end of the season
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The club confirmed a two-year contract extension in November 2024, keeping him tied until summer 2027, yet planning for his potential exit appears to have commenced.
Alonso, dismissed by Real Madrid in January, remains a strong contender despite his previous five-year spell at Liverpool making him an unconventional choice for City.
Should Liverpool require a new manager with Arne Slot facing pressure over Champions League qualification, they would almost certainly pursue the Spaniard.
Maresca, who served as Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad, was let go by Chelsea last month. The Italian confirmed he had held discussions with City and Juventus representatives before his Stamford Bridge departure.
Fabregas, a former player under Guardiola, has earned widespread admiration for guiding Como to sixth place in Serie A since taking permanent charge in July 2024.
Xabi Alonso is the favourite to succeed Pep Guardiola at City
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Former City captain Vincent Kompany is not expected to leave Bayern Munich, having extended his contract until 2029 in October.
Sources close to the situation have painted a concerning picture of the squad's mentality following Sunday's result.
There are rumours in the City camp that some players do not have the same hunger as previous groups amid speculation over Guardiola's future.
Questions have also been raised about whether the squad possesses the same hunger as their title rivals.
An insider told the Telegraph: "It just doesn't look as though it means as much to them as Arsenal.
"Most of them have won all those trophies and if they win the title, then great. But if they don't, does it mean as much?
"[Erling] Haaland was laughing with Tottenham players near the end of the game, when City needed a goal."
Enzo Maresca is also in the running to succeed Pep Guardiola at City
| PARodri expressed his frustration with officiating after Dominic Solanke's opening goal was allowed to stand despite appearing to kick Marc Guehi's leg before scoring.
The midfielder stated: "I know we won too much and the people don't want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral. For me it's not fair."
He continued: "It's not fair, because we work so hard and the situations now to make these decisions and we have to move on but when everything is finished you are so frustrated because the foul is so clear."
Cesc Fabregas, currently in charge of Como, is a potential option | REUTERSThe Spanish international insisted this was not an isolated incident, adding: "I never speak about referees, I respect their job massively, but they have to pay attention to these things.
"He's kicked the leg, it's so clear. But it's not today, it's two or three games in a row and I honestly don't know why."