Pep Guardiola says Man City must avoid hiring his 'copy'

Guardiola, who will leave City after Sundays Premier League match against Aston Villa, ends a 10-year spell in charge that delivered six league titles, the Champions League and the Club World Cup.

Former City assistant Enzo Maresca has emerged as a leading candidate to take over at the Etihad Stadium. Maresca previously worked under Guardiola before managing Chelsea and Leicester City.

Asked whether he had advised the club on its search for a new manager, Guardiola said the next coach must bring his own identity rather than attempt to replicate his methods.

"It doesn't work to copy and paste in this kind of job," Guardiola told reporters ahead of his final league game.

"You have to be unique, natural and yourself and the new manager will be himself," he added. :The moment it starts to be a copy of another one, everyone is everyone. It has to be like that."

Guardiola also said he did not expect to play a role in choosing his successor and suggested the club should move forward independently after his departure.

The Spaniard leaves Manchester City while the club is still awaiting the outcome of the Premier League's case over 115 alleged breaches of financial regulations. City have denied wrongdoing.

Guardiola again backed the club, saying he remained confident about the eventual outcome.

"Because I trust them," he said. "I spoke with them and I trust how they behave and what they did. There will be a resolution.

The 55-year-old also reiterated plans to take a break from football after leaving City. Although he has been linked with future international management roles, Guardiola said he intends to rest and spend time with his family before considering another job.

"I don't have any absolute plan about my future except to rest," he said. "I need to recover time that I missed with my kids and do things I haven't done in the past.

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