Wayne Rooney tells Man City who they must replace Pep Guardiola with ⚽🔥, saying the suggested replacement is the best man for Manchester City and that he truly loves the coach for the job

The football world stopped for a moment when the words of Wayne Rooney began to spread across England. This was not just any former player speaking. This was a Manchester United legend, a man who wore the red shirt with pride for 13 years, a captain, a fighter, someone who built his name on passion and rivalry. And yet, here he was, speaking about Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, and saying something that shocked many fans. He said he wanted Pep to stay.

For some supporters, especially those who still remember the fierce battles between Manchester United and Manchester City, it felt strange. Rooney, a hero of Old Trafford, praising the man who has turned City into a dominant machine. But when you listened carefully to his words, it was not about rivalry. It was about respect. Rooney spoke like a man who understands football deeply. He said Guardiola had set a benchmark for every other manager in the league. That word – benchmark – carried weight. It meant standard. It meant excellence. It meant that for the last decade, Pep has been the example everyone else is chasing.

Guardiola has been in charge of Manchester City since 2016. Ten years. In modern football, that is almost a lifetime. Managers come and go quickly. Pressure builds fast. Results decide everything. But Pep stayed. He built something. Six Premier League titles. Domestic cups. European nights filled with drama. And now, in 2026, there is still a chance of a seventh league crown. That is not normal. That is dominance.

Rooney spoke on his podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, and he did not hide his feelings. He said some players will want Pep to leave and some will want him to stay. That is football reality. When you are playing regularly, when you feel important, you love the manager. When you sit on the bench, when you struggle for minutes, you might wish for change. It happens in every club. It happened when Rooney was playing. It happens now. Dressing rooms are full of emotions. Competition creates tension. But Rooney made it clear that for the Premier League as a whole, Guardiola is brilliant.

He said the league needs the best managers. And he is right. The Premier League has become the most watched league in the world because of quality. Quality players. Quality coaches. Intensity. Drama. Guardiola raised the tactical level. He changed how teams build from the back. He demanded control of the ball. He forced other managers to think differently. If you want to beat his City side, you cannot just defend deep and hope. You must be brave. You must be clever. You must be prepared.

There is uncertainty about Guardiola’s future. His contract situation has been the topic of many discussions. The expectation is that a decision will come towards the end of the season, or maybe just after it. That creates tension. When a manager of his level is unsure about staying, the whole club feels it. Players wonder what will happen. Fans debate replacements. Rivals watch closely.

In December, there were strong links connecting Enzo Maresca with a possible return to City. Maresca once worked under Guardiola. He understands Pep’s methods. He knows the system. That made sense to many observers. But Rooney had another idea. He believes that if Pep leaves, the best option would be Vincent Kompany, the current boss of Bayern Munich.

Kompany is not just any former player. He is a Manchester City legend. He captained the club. He lifted trophies. He scored important goals. He understands the culture. And under Guardiola, he learned. Rooney believes that learning matters. He said it looks like Kompany has taken lessons from Pep. At Bayern, he has shown leadership and tactical growth. That connection between past and present could be powerful.

Rooney also made an interesting point. He said that if Guardiola decides to leave, he will probably help choose the next manager. That shows how much respect the club has for him. Pep is not just an employee. He is part of the identity now. After ten years, his ideas are everywhere in the club structure. From the first team to the academy, the philosophy is clear.

Rooney described Guardiola as a teacher. That word is important. Pep has always spoken about learning and teaching. He studies opponents. He improves players. He demands intelligence. A teacher wants to leave the classroom in good condition. Rooney believes Pep will want to leave the club in a good place if he goes. Not broken. Not unstable. Strong and prepared.

While this debate about Guardiola’s future continues, the Premier League title race is burning hot. Arsenal are leading the table. They recently had a painful moment, letting a 2-0 lead slip to draw 2-2 against Wolverhampton Wanderers. That result changed the mood. Instead of feeling comfortable, Arsenal suddenly felt pressure.

Manchester City are five points behind, but with a game in hand. That small detail is huge. If City win that game, the gap shrinks. And then there is the massive meeting scheduled at the Etihad Stadium on 18 April. When City host Arsenal, it could decide everything. The tension will be incredible. The noise. The tactics. The fear of mistakes.

But that is not all. The two clubs are also set to meet in the Carabao Cup final on 22 March. A cup final always carries emotion. Winning gives confidence. Losing hurts. And there is even the possibility of facing each other in the Champions League knockout stages. If that happens, the rivalry will explode across multiple competitions.

Rooney believes those emotional battles could decide the title. He said whoever comes out on top in those big clashes will probably win the league. He understands momentum. He understands psychology. Football is not just about skill. It is about belief. If one team beats the other in a final, in Europe, or in a key league game, that mental advantage can carry them forward.

Despite praising Guardiola, Rooney admitted something personal. He said he would prefer Arsenal to win the title. He laughed about his 13 years at Manchester United. Rivalries never die completely. For Rooney, Liverpool are the team he would least want to see lifting the trophy. After that, City. But his prediction was clear. He thinks Arsenal will just edge it.

That prediction adds another layer to the story. Guardiola fighting to stay. Arsenal fighting to prove they are ready. Manchester City chasing history. The Premier League delivering drama once again.

The respect Rooney showed towards Guardiola is powerful because it comes from a rival. During his playing career, Rooney battled against City teams that slowly grew stronger under Pep. He saw the transformation. He felt the tactical shifts. He experienced how difficult it became to stop them.

Guardiola’s impact goes beyond trophies. He improved individual players. He turned good players into world-class performers. He demanded fitness, intelligence, and courage. Full-backs moved into midfield. Goalkeepers became playmakers. Centre-backs stepped forward like midfielders. These ideas forced the entire league to adapt.

Managers across England had to raise their level. Press conferences became more detailed. Tactical discussions became deeper. Young coaches studied Guardiola’s patterns. Analysts broke down his methods. That is what Rooney meant by benchmark. Pep set the standard, and others had to chase.

Now the big question remains. Will he stay? If he signs a new contract, it sends a message. It says the project continues. It says Manchester City are not done. But if he leaves, it marks the end of an era. Ten years is a long chapter in football history.

Fans are divided. Some feel the cycle may be complete. Others fear what comes after him. Replacing greatness is never easy. Even if Kompany or Maresca step in, the pressure will be huge. Comparisons will be constant. Every draw will spark criticism. Every defeat will bring doubt.

For now, though, the focus remains on the pitch. Arsenal are leading. City are chasing. The Etihad clash waits in the distance like a storm on the horizon. And in the middle of it all stands Pep Guardiola, calm on the touchline, applauding the fans, thinking deeply about the future.

Rooney’s voice adds weight to the conversation because he understands winning. He knows what it takes to dominate. When he says Guardiola is brilliant for the Premier League, it is not flattery. It is recognition.

As the season moves forward, every match feels bigger. Every slip matters. Arsenal cannot afford another collapse like the one against Wolves. City cannot afford to waste their game in hand. The Carabao Cup final will test nerves. The possible Champions League meetings could drain energy.

In moments like these, experience counts. Guardiola has been here before. He has chased titles. He has defended them. He has lost and responded. Arsenal, hungry and ambitious, want to prove they have grown strong enough.

Rooney sits outside the battle now, watching, analysing, speaking honestly. His hope that Guardiola stays shows something important. Rivalry can exist alongside respect. Competition can produce admiration.

The next few months will decide more than just a title. They may decide the future direction of one of the greatest managerial reigns English football has seen. If Pep stays, the benchmark remains. If he leaves, a new chapter begins.

For now, the Premier League holds its breath. The fans argue. The pundits debate. The players focus. And somewhere inside the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola continues to teach, to plan, and to chase another piece of history, while a former Manchester United captain publicly admits he wants the master to remain exactly where he is.