Former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso is in the run of becoming Pep Guardiola’s assistant manager at Manchester City.
Reports from Goal say that Guardiola has already identified two people to replace Mikel Arteta as his assistant; Arteta having joined Arsenal as a manager in December.
The 38-year-old has enjoyed an impressive start to life in management at his hometown club Real Sociedad. Since being appointed in June 2019 and has led Sociedad to fifth place in Segunda Division B.
The Spaniard is revered at City having spent time at City’s training facility in 2018 as he prepared for a life in management.
It is believed Alonso’s close association with Arteta puts him in a good place with the Arsenal manager having recommended him for the role.
Apart from Alonso, Guardiola wants to promote the club’s first-team coach Rodolfo Borrell as his assistant.
Borell coached Liverpool’s U18s and reserve team during a five-year spell at Anfield having made his name at Barcelona. He joined Man City as a technical director in 2014 before transitioning to become a first-team coach under Guardiola.
He has since assumed the role since the departure of Arteta with the 49-year-old credited with helping City’s defensive work.
