Watch the panel on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club discuss Manchester City’s succession planning and reports that Enzo Maresca is poised to take over from Pep Guardiola.
“Everyone is a grown up Guardiola will be aware City had to speak to people,” said The Observer’s Rory Smith.
“Plus, Guardiola would approve of Maresca as his successor. He’s his former assistant, linked to the club, all that.
“He’s someone who is really highly thought of within City. It is more likely to be done with Guardiola’s blessing.”
Former Premier League winner Andros Townsend said: “If Vincent Kompany won’t come then I think Maresca is the next best choice.
“I know they struggled with consistency as they were a young team, but when I watched Chelsea in one-off games or in the Club World Cup – there was nobody better than Chelsea at that tournament.
“I think Maresca is a top manager. There’s nobody better apart from Kompany to take City into this rebuild that Guardiola started. “
Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds