Is Pep Guardiola the man to replace Lionel Messi as MLS’s crown jewel?
Pep Guardiola's departure from Manchester City has sparked speculation about his potential role in Major League Soccer following Lionel Messi's exit. Rather than seeking another player to fill Messi's shoes, the league might benefit more from targeting a manager like Guardiola. His experience and connection to Messi could provide a unique opportunity for MLS to enhance its profile in the soccer world.
- ▪Pep Guardiola is leaving Manchester City this summer after achieving significant success in European football.
- ▪MLS faces the challenge of finding a successor to Lionel Messi, who has set a high standard in the league.
- ▪Guardiola's potential move to MLS could serve as a strategic shift from player acquisition to managerial influence.
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| Original publisher | The Guardian — US |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/26/pep-guardiola-lionel-messi-mls |
| Publication time | Tue, 26 May 2026 09:00:50 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-26T09:17:47.271Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-26T09:17:47.271Z |
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| Ranking reason | Story pages are not engagement-ranked. Hub feeds use recency, with optional source-diversified chronological ordering (cap consecutive stories per source). No personalized ranking. |
| Publisher visit | Yes — open original |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi formed a bond during their time together at Barcelona. Photograph: Javier Soriano/AFP/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenPep Guardiola and Lionel Messi formed a bond during their time together at Barcelona. Photograph: Javier Soriano/AFP/Getty ImagesPep GuardiolaIs Pep Guardiola the man to replace Lionel Messi as MLS’s crown jewel?The former Manchester City manager is always interested in fresh challenges. Taking on another continent could be tempting as he embarks on a new chapterJames NaltonTue 26 May 2026 05.00 EDTLast modified on Tue 26 May 2026 05.02 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleWhere do you go after Lionel Messi, Major League Soccer? ?This is not just a question MLS will ponder, but one soccer in general has been thinking about for some time.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Guardian — US.
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