From Sir Alex Ferguson to Arsene Wenger: The warning signs for Man City after Pep Guardiola exit

City were already well on their way to become a global superpower when Guardiola first rocked up, having won Premier League titles under both Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini.

But Guardiola's genius has seen the club scale dizzying, unprecedented heights. He is, without a doubt, arguably the best coach in the division's history.

Now, City will prepare for a new adventure. Enzo Maresca, it seems, is the Chosen One.

The Italian has agreed a three-year contract with the club. An official announcement will be made in due course.

But replacing greatness is no easy task. Those expecting City to continue to hoover up the greatest trophies on the planet should look to the past to know that it's never that simple.

GB News now takes a look at English clubs who have struggled to replace iconic managers, starting with the greatest of them all...

Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson

When Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, Manchester United were champions of England and appeared well placed to continue dominating.

Instead, his departure triggered one of the most turbulent periods in the club's modern history.

David Moyes lasted less than a season, while Louis van Gaal, José Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim all failed to restore sustained success.

United have won domestic cups but no Premier League titles since Ferguson stepped down. His departure remains football's clearest example that replacing a transformational manager can take more than a decade.

Arsenal and Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger left Arsenal in 2018 after 22 years that revolutionised English football.

Although the latter years were marked by criticism, his exit exposed how difficult it is to replace an institutional figure.

Unai Emery struggled to impose authority and was dismissed after 18 months.

Mikel Arteta has since restored Arsenal to title contention, but the rebuild has required patience, major investment and several seasons outside the Champions League.

Chelsea and Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho's first departure from Chelsea in 2007 left a vacuum despite the club's enormous resources.

Avram Grant guided the team to a Champions League final, and second in the Premier League table, but he never carried Mourinho's authority.

Luiz Felipe Scolari and Guus Hiddink followed in a period of constant change.

Chelsea continued winning trophies but wouldn't taste league glory until Carlo Ancelotti steered them to the prize in 2010.

Leicester and Claudio Ranieri

Claudio Ranieri's departure from Leicester City in 2017 remains one of football's most poignant examples of how difficult it can be to move on from a manager who delivers the impossible.

Just nine months after guiding the Foxes to the most extraordinary title triumph in Premier League history, Ranieri was dismissed with the club hovering above the relegation zone.

Although Leicester initially stabilised under Craig Shakespeare and later enjoyed success with Brendan Rodgers, including an FA Cup triumph, they never recaptured the unique spirit and unity of 2015-16.

The one exception: Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp

If there is one modern example that offers genuine hope to Manchester City, it is Liverpool's transition after Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp left in 2024 having rebuilt the club and delivered both the Premier League and Champions League.

Replacing a figure of that stature appeared daunting. Yet Arne Slot made an immediate impact, guiding Liverpool to the Premier League title 12 months ago.

Liverpool's success demonstrated that succession can work when a club plans carefully, inherits a strong squad and appoints a coach whose ideas complement the foundations already in place.

That said, their struggles this season means Slot has faced calls for the sack. Whether the Reds wield the axe remains to be seen.