Brendan Rodgers identified as ideal Guardiola successor as Man City prepare for life after Pep

MANCHESTER CITY chiefs have identified Brendan Rodgers as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola.

Pep says he will not quit before his contract ends in the summer of 2021.

But City are looking to life after their back-to-back Premier League title-winning boss does decide to leave.

Leicester boss Rodgers has made a huge impression on the City’s boardroom by steering the Foxes to an unfancied title tilt.

He has vital Champions League experience — but more importantly his pass-and-move philosophy is in the same vein as Guardiola’s.

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Arsenal wanted former Celtic and Liverpool chief Rodgers to take over from sacked Unai Emery but he committed to Leicester this week and signed a new contract worth £40million until 2025.

After putting pen to paper, Rodgers said he wanted to “win trophies” and he remains fiercely ambitious.

He also still believes he can be a success at one of England’s major clubs after being sacked by Liverpool in 2015.

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Guardiola’s No 2 Mikel Arteta, who is being considered for the Arsenal job, and out-of-work Mauricio Pochettino would also figure in the reckoning to take over from Guardiola.

Yet if Rodgers maintains momentum at the King Power and takes his team into next season’s Champions League, his reputation will only be enhanced.

The Northern Irishman enjoyed promotion to the Premier League with Swansea, suffered a 2014 title near-miss with Liverpool and won two Scottish titles and five domestic cups with Celtic.