Manager who Pep Guardiola once named 'the world's best' has no chance of getting Man City job

Pep Guardiola once tipped him as one of the world's best managers - but Antonio Conte won't be in the running to replace him at Manchester City.

While no one would've been under the illusion that Guardiola would be staying put forever, reports he will be leaving at the end of his contract next year will undoubtedly have rocked the City boat after his trophy-laden tenure.

As has been shown time and time again in world football, replacing a manager of his calibre is no mean feat. That's particularly true in the current climate, with a severe lack of experienced coaches currently on the market.

READ MORE: Pep Guardiola has already revealed who he wants to manage next after Man City exit rumour

READ MORE: Pep's pick, CFG surprise and Liverpool legend - who could replace Pep Guardiola at Man City

Rewind a few years and Conte may have been an option, with Guardiola repeatedly singing his praises. He said during the season the Italian won the Premier League with Chelsea: "My opinion about my colleague Conte is that he's superb.

"He was able to make Italy play beautiful football - Juventus too - in a culture where it's so defensive. He's an excellent manager, I learn a lot when I see his teams - Juventus, Italy and now. I like to do that because you see what they want to do. Their teams control a lot of aspects. Maybe he's the best."

Guardiola has gone to echo those sentiments in the years since, including when Conte was in charge of Tottenham. But in 2025, it's very unlikely he'll be a contender - especially considering he's set to become the new Napoli manager.

The list of realistic options for Guardiola's successor is far from extensive. Roberto De Zerbi, who left Brighton at the end of the season, is the bookies'