Former Man Utd target now the bookies' favourite to succeed Pep Guardiola at Man City

Former Manchester United target Mauricio Pochettino is the bookies’ favourite to succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

On Monday the Premier League charged City with more than 100 breaches of its financial rules following a four-year investigation.

The club have been referred to an independent commission over alleged rule breaches said to have taken place between 2009 and 2018. Meanwhile, the Premier League also claimed City had not co-operated with their investigation since it began in December 2018.

City said they were "surprised" by the charges and are supported by a "body of irrefutable evidence".

"Manchester City is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with," the club said in a statement.

"The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.

"As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all."

Pochettino bookies' favourite to take over from Guardiola

There has been speculation over Guardiola’s future at City since the Premier League issued their charge against the club.

Should the Spaniard leave his post, former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain boss Pochettino is the favourite to take over at City.

The 50-year-old, who was strongly tipped to become Manchester United boss before Erik ten Hag’s Old Trafford arrival, is the 7/2 favourite to be the next City manager according to Betfair.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann and Zinedine Zidane are both 5/1 for the City job, while Mikel Arteta and Thomas Tuchel are at 15/2.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is a 25/1 outsider to take the reins at the Etihad.

Guardiola is odds-on at 1/2 to leave City before the start of next season, with a return to Barcelona tipped at 3/1 to be his next managerial job.