Man City WON’T follow Arsenal and Man Utd’s blueprint after departure of legendary Pep Guardiola, warns legend Lescott

FORMER Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott insists the club are unlikely to suffer the same post-manager turmoil that engulfed Manchester United and Arsenal. City waved goodbye to Pep Guardiola this summer after a trophy-laden spell spanning 10 years. Joleon Lescott is doing punditry for TNT Sports during today’s Community Shield between Arsenal and Manchester City Credit: Getty Lescott won two Premier League titles with Manchester City as a player Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd The Catalan boss delivered a staggering 20 trophies during his reign, including SIX Premier League titles and the club’s first Champions League crown in 2022/23. Guardiola’s assistant that season was Enzo Maresca, who departed for Leicester afterwards before going to Chelsea then returning to City to replace his former mentor. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! But two-time Premier League winner Lescott believes City’s preparation for life after Guardiola means they are better placed than their rivals were when their own legendary bosses departed. Lescott, who joined City from Everton in 2009 and spent five years at the Etihad, was asked whether he feared shades of United’s post-Sir Alex Ferguson era or Arsenal‘s struggles following Arsene Wenger. He said: “I think it’s less likely. You can never say never, obviously, but I think it’s less likely based on the position of the club. “The club has transitioned from managers before. Not as successful as Pep, but they have prepared for the next stage and progression of the team, of the club over the last 15 years. So I don’t see it being as dormant as other clubs.” Ferguson walked away from Manchester United in 2013 after 26 years at Old Trafford, with David Moyes taking over. The Scot was the first of seven permanent managers United have appointed since Ferguson’s retirement – or ten if interim bosses are included. Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Enzo Maresca is the Chosen One to replace Pep Guardiola Credit: PA None of those have managed to win the Premier League. That’s not the case for Arsenal, who were crowned champions of England in May for the first time since 2004. Wenger departed in 2018 after 22 years in North London, with Unai Emery lasting just a season and a half before Mikel Arteta took charge in December 2020. It took Arteta six-and-a-half years to finally deliver the Premier League title. He also guided Arsenal to a Champions League final where they lost on penalties to PSG in Budapest. Lescott added: “To be competitive, obviously, I can’t guarantee they’re going to be successful, but I expect the team, the manager, to have a positive season and compete for all the trophies.” “I do see them winning something. I just don’t know what that is.” One of the biggest questions facing City is what happens to Rodri, with the seven-year Etihad star reportedly set for a move to Barcelona. World Cup MVP Rodri looks set to join his Spain teammates at Barcelona next season Credit: Getty The Spaniard has taken City to another level since arriving, famously scoring the winner in the 2023 Champions League final to complete the Treble. Lescott believes Elliot Anderson, signed from Nottingham Forest for £116million this summer, can step up if Rodri leaves – but warned against expecting him to simply become his replacement. He said: “Listen, it’s going to be massive shoes to fill if he does leave, but Anderson can offer something different and I think that’s the key. I don’t think he needs to do the same thing in the same way.” “We’ve seen that with previous transitions like Fernandinho was the best at what he did during his time at the club and had a similar impact in a totally different way. “I think the comparison’s gonna come his way, but we can’t look at him to do the exact same thing. So, I think the comparison’s gonna come his way, but we can’t look at him to do the exact same thing.” Another player with plenty to prove is Phil Foden. The England international, who missed out on Thomas Tuchel‘s World Cup squad, has had a well below par last two seasons after being named PFA Player of the Year in 2023/24. Foden scored 10 goals in his first 21 games last season, but has now gone 29 matches without finding the net. Phil Foden is looking to get back to his best this season following two largely frustrating campaigns Credit: Alamy Lescott said: “It’s a massive season. I think every season is. “We’ve got to understand that this is the first, this is the newest manager for Phil, other players have played under other managers and know how different managers work, Phil hasn’t experienced that. “Having seen footage of games and posts online, he looks happy and that’s important. He’s someone that’s obsessed with the game, so if he’s in a happy place in his football then he’s good.” Despite City no longer being viewed as favourites to lift the Premier League, Lescott insisted: “I don’t think it’s going to make a difference, the expectation within the club is still going to be the same. They’ll be expecting to win and compete.” Comment now