Wayne Rooney believes there is only ONE man who can replace Pep and it’s a very big shout…

The debate has started again in England and it is not just about trophies or tactics but about the future of one of the greatest managers the Premier League has ever seen and about who could possibly replace him if he walks away from Manchester City and this time the voice entering the conversation is Wayne Rooney who has made it clear that he wants Pep Guardiola to stay in England but if the Spaniard decides to leave then City have only one man they must go and get and that name is Vincent Kompany

Wayne Rooney knows what it means to compete at the very top of English football he spent years battling Manchester City while wearing the red shirt of Manchester United and he understands the pressure that comes with leading a giant club so when he speaks about Manchester City people listen carefully especially when the subject is Pep Guardiola the man who has dominated English football for nearly a decade

Guardiola arrived at Manchester City in 2016 and since then the club has transformed completely the style of play became sharper quicker more intelligent possession based football mixed with relentless pressing and tactical innovation and the trophies followed Premier League titles domestic cups and the long awaited Champions League triumph that completed a historic treble in 2022 23 he has collected eighteen trophies during his time at the Etihad and built one of the most consistent winning machines English football has ever seen

Yet this season has felt different not disastrous not chaotic but not quite as smooth as previous years City are still fighting on multiple fronts with twelve Premier League games remaining they trail league leaders Arsenal by five points while having a game in hand they remain alive in the FA Cup the Carabao Cup and the Champions League but there is a sense of uncertainty in the background because of rumours about Guardiola’s long term future

In November 2025 Guardiola signed a contract extension keeping him at City until June 2027 and at that time it seemed to calm speculation but football never truly stops talking and reports have continued to suggest that this campaign could still be his final one in charge insiders have hinted that a firm decision on his future may come towards the end of the season and that possibility alone is enough to spark endless discussion among fans pundits and former players

Rooney has admitted he hopes Guardiola stays he described him as brilliant for the Premier League and said the competition benefits from having managers of his quality on the touchline Guardiola’s presence raises standards forces rivals to improve and makes every title race more intense but Rooney also accepted reality if Pep does go then City cannot afford to gamble they must choose someone who understands the culture the expectations and the demands of that dressing room

And for Rooney that man is Vincent Kompany

Kompany is not just any former player he is a Manchester City legend he made 360 appearances for the club captained them during their rise to domestic dominance and lifted four Premier League titles as a player he was the defensive leader during the early stages of City’s transformation under new ownership scoring important goals delivering big performances and setting standards inside the dressing room his leadership qualities were clear long before he stepped into management

After retiring from playing Kompany moved quickly into coaching he took charge of Burnley and guided them to promotion from the Championship to the Premier League with an attractive attacking style that caught attention across England although Burnley were later relegated the experience shaped him and proved he could handle pressure at a demanding level then came the big opportunity he was appointed head coach of Bayern Munich one of Europe’s biggest institutions and many observers questioned whether the step was too soon

Kompany answered those doubts by leading Bayern to the Bundesliga title in the 2024 25 season restoring domestic dominance and earning praise for his tactical growth he signed a contract extension until 2029 showing that Bayern believe strongly in his long term vision but Rooney believes that if Guardiola steps aside City should make the move regardless of that contract situation because Kompany knows the club inside out and appears to have absorbed many lessons from working under Pep during his playing days

Rooney suggested that Guardiola himself may influence the decision if he leaves describing Pep as a teacher someone who cares about legacy and about leaving the club in a strong position Guardiola has often spoken about developing players and staff shaping a philosophy that lasts beyond his own tenure so it would not be surprising if he played a role in identifying his successor

Another name linked heavily with the job in recent months has been Enzo Maresca the former Chelsea head coach who previously worked as one of Guardiola’s assistants at City during the treble winning campaign Maresca understands Pep’s system intimately and shares many of his tactical ideas reports have claimed he is highly regarded within City’s hierarchy and could be a serious candidate if the role becomes available but Rooney feels that Kompany’s connection as a former captain gives him an emotional and cultural advantage

The idea of Kompany returning to the Etihad as manager would carry symbolic weight he represents a bridge between the early title winning era and the Guardiola era he understands both the hunger that drove City to their first modern Premier League triumph and the tactical evolution that followed his leadership style has often been described as calm intelligent and demanding qualities that fit the standards City require

Still replacing Guardiola would be one of the most difficult tasks in modern football he has not only delivered trophies but also reshaped expectations City supporters now view deep Champions League runs and title challenges as normal anything less feels like underachievement and any new manager would immediately face comparisons to Pep’s achievements his win percentage his tactical innovations his ability to develop world class players

Guardiola’s influence extends beyond results he changed how teams approach build up play how full backs invert into midfield how centre backs distribute under pressure his Manchester City side became a reference point for coaches across Europe and removing such a figure creates uncertainty even if the squad remains strong

Rooney’s comments reflect a wider conversation about continuity versus change should City choose someone who continues Guardiola’s philosophy almost exactly or should they take the opportunity to evolve again Kompany might offer a balance he learned under Pep but has also developed his own ideas in Germany working with a different culture different league dynamics and different expectations

For Guardiola himself the decision will likely depend on energy motivation and whether he feels the cycle is complete he has previously spoken about the emotional intensity of management and the need to recharge after long periods at the same club his time at Barcelona lasted four years his spell at Bayern Munich lasted three and he is now approaching a decade at City far longer than his previous appointments

City’s hierarchy will be preparing quietly behind the scenes even if no public announcement has been made succession planning at elite clubs never stops and while fans debate potential names the board will analyse profiles contracts tactical compatibility and personality fit Rooney’s endorsement of Kompany adds weight because it comes from someone who competed directly against both men and understands the mentality required to dominate English football

If Guardiola stays until 2027 the transition may feel smoother more gradual if he leaves earlier the shock would be greater but the opportunity to hand over to a former captain who embodies the club’s identity could soften that blow Kompany’s success at Bayern shows he can handle expectations at a global giant and his experience winning titles as a player at City means he knows the pressure of the Etihad crowd

The Premier League as a whole would feel Guardiola’s departure managers like Mikel Arteta Jurgen Klopp before him and others have grown through competing with Pep his tactical battles have defined seasons and shaped rivalries Rooney is right in one sense the league benefits from having such a figure present raising standards and pushing innovation

Yet football never stands still legends leave eras end and new chapters begin if that chapter involves Vincent Kompany stepping into the technical area once occupied by Pep Guardiola it would feel poetic a former captain taking responsibility for protecting the legacy built during one of the most dominant periods in English football history

For now everything remains hypothetical Guardiola is still in charge City are still fighting on four fronts and the season is far from over but Rooney’s words have added fuel to the conversation and given fans a clear image of what the future might look like a Guardiola farewell followed by a Kompany homecoming and a new generation of Manchester City chasing trophies under the guidance of a man who once led them from the back line

Whether that vision becomes reality depends on decisions yet to be made behind closed doors but one thing is certain if Pep Guardiola eventually says goodbye Manchester City will face one of the most important choices in their modern history and according to Wayne Rooney there is only one answer they have to go and get Vincent Kompany