Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has voiced his hope that Pep Guardiola will extend his stay at Manchester City, insisting the Catalan boss has raised the bar for managers across the Premier League.
Guardiola, who took the helm at the Etihad in 2016, has reshaped English football by securing six league titles in less than a decade. With City once again in the hunt for silverware this season, speculation continues to swirl over whether the 55-year-old will commit to another campaign—or walk away at the end of the current one.
Rooney weighed in on the uncertainty during the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, acknowledging that opinions in the dressing room are likely divided.
“Some players will want him to leave, some will want him to stay—it depends whether you’re in the team or not, and that’s the same for any manager,” he said.
“But I hope he stays. He’s brilliant for the Premier League, and you want the best managers in this league. Over the past ten years, he’s set a benchmark for everyone else.”
Looking ahead, Rooney dismissed rumours of a return for former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca—who previously worked under Guardiola at City—and instead threw his weight behind a club legend.
“If Pep does go, they have to go and get Vincent Kompany,” Rooney insisted. “He knows the club. He’s been successful with Bayern in a similar way, and it looks like he’s learned from Pep.”
Rooney also suggested Guardiola may have a hand in choosing his successor. “Pep will probably choose the next manager. If he’s going, he’ll likely be part of that process. He sees himself as a teacher, and after ten years at the club, he’ll want to leave it in a good place.”
Turning his attention to this season’s title race, Rooney predicted a tight finish between Arsenal and his former rivals City—and admitted where his loyalties lie.
Speaking before Arsenal’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Wolves, Rooney pointed to the upcoming showdowns between the two sides as decisive.
“A big factor will be if they meet in the Champions League. The emotions around the League Cup final, potential European ties, and then the league game at the Etihad—whoever comes out on top in those could go on to win the league.”
The former United captain was candid about his preferences. “I’d prefer Arsenal to win it. I played for Manchester United for 13 years. For me, Liverpool are the ones I wouldn’t want to win it, and then it would be City. I think Arsenal will just win it.”
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