Exclusive: City Legend Paul Dickov Doubts Anyone Can Ever Replace Pep Guardiola

Manchester City hero Paul Dickov believes the club need to cherish top boss Pep Guardiola as long as they can.

And speaking exclusively to SportsBoom, the Blues’ legend, scorer of one of the club’s most iconic goals, doubts whether the club can ever replace a manager who has redefined English football during a glorious nine-year tenure at the Etihad Stadium.

The all-conquering Spaniard was appointed City boss on the 1st February 2016, and since then has taken charge of 560 games at the club, with a staggering 70.7 win percentage during his imperious reign.

Six Premier League titles, a coveted Champions League crown and no fewer than 11 more titles prove just what an incredible impact Pep has had at City as he approaches a decade of decorated service.

The 54-year-old has 18 months remaining on his latest deal, but it is understood City have already started looking for his successor.

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“I don’t think you can replace Pep,” Dickov told SportsBoom.com. 

“I think first and foremost we just enjoy him while we can. Whether it’s this season or next season [when he potentially leaves]. You’ve got to savour him."

“I don’t think anybody expected him to be here this long, but he genuinely loves it in Manchester."

“But on the flip side of that, because the club is run so well, the owners are amazing and the great leadership of the club, they’ll work to get the best man in they can to replace him when the time comes."

“A lot of people think everything is done quickly, but the club are so forward-thinking that they’ll be prepared."

“They’ll have known last season who is going to take over from Pep, so they’ll be no knee-jerk reaction."

“I’ll give you an example. I remember Brendan Rodgers was at Leicester and doing a good job and everybody was saying he’s the next Manchester United manager."

“He was linked with pretty much every job going at the time, but the following season he was sacked by Leicester and it [the United job] was never, ever spoken about again."

“But at City they’re not reactional like that. Having seen the recruitment side and how they do their business, I’d imagine they have an idea who they’d want to take over from Pep.”

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Former Premier League striker Dickov played 199 games for City and bagged 41 goals, the most important of which famously helped the Blues secure a memorable promotion back to the First Division in 1999.

The following season City won promotion back to the Premier League for the first time its inception in 1992.

And Dickov, an avid watcher of the Pep’s side, is quietly confident City will win the Premier League title back off arch-rivals this season. 

“I’ve got a funny feeling that City could do it [the title] this season],” predicted Dickov.

“It’s a transitional period for the club, but there’s a much better atmosphere around the place this season than there was last season."

“I think the players that been there and done it feel they can do it again. I also think with the signings they’ve made and some of the great young players coming through – who are a year older and better – really helps.”