According to The Telegraph, Xabi Alonso is expected to be on a shortlist of three managers to succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
There is growing belief within Premier League circles that Guardiola could leave the Etihad at the end of this season, marking 10 years in charge.
Sources inside Man City have dismissed the reports as "pure speculation", but contingency planning is understood to be continuing behind the scenes.
Alonso, recently sacked by Real Madrid, is seen as a leading candidate due to his tactical profile and experience at elite level.
He managed Bayer Leverkusen with great success, while he is also seen as a candidate for the Liverpool bench.
Enzo Maresca is also expected to be considered. The Italian recently informed Chelsea that he had spoken to Man City and Juventus before his sacking last month.
He was part of the club as Guardiola's deputy, before moving to Leicester City.
There is also no way a coach with a future like Cesc Fabregas, currently the head coach of Como, could be missing from the list.
He would only leave for one of the biggest jobs in English or European football. /Telegrafi/
