Wayne Rooney has delivered a stark assessment of Pep Guardiola's potential departure from Manchester City, insisting the club simply won't maintain their current level without him. Speaking on his BBC Sounds show, Rooney argued that Guardiola has transformed English football more than any modern manager, making his possible exit one of the biggest stories in recent memory.

Rooney questioned whether City's hierarchy had adequately planned for life after Guardiola, pointing to the manager's behavior following the FA Cup final as potentially revealing. The former England captain suggested that Guardiola's demeanor hinted that his exit was already decided, raising questions about the club's succession planning.

While discussing potential replacements, Rooney floated Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca as a natural heir to Guardiola's throne. However, the overriding message was clear: Manchester City's unprecedented success under Guardiola cannot be easily replicated. Pep Guardiola's departure would fundamentally alter the Premier League's balance of power, leaving a void that even the most promising successors would struggle to fill.