Pep Guardiola believes the "incredible" Mikel Arteta will succeed him as Manchester City manager. Arteta joined Guardiola's backroom staff as an assistant coach in July 2016, just after finishing his playing career with Arsenal.
Under Guardiola, City has enjoyed plenty of success, winning two Premier League titles, two EFL Cup trophies, an FA Cup and two Community Shields. Guardiola believes his fellow Spaniard, Arteta, could be the man to replace him at the Etihad Stadium.
"I'm pretty sure [he'll succeed me]. He will have success," he told UK media. "Sooner or later it's going to happen [Arteta becoming a manager]. He's a young, young manager. He has experience already, handling big players and big teams."
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"He's got an incredible work ethic. He has a special talent to analyse what happens and to find solutions. We talk a lot about what he believes and how he feels."
Guardiola said Arteta saw the game in a similar way to him, while also lauding the former Everton midfielder's character.
"He's so happy when we win but suffers when we don't and that is why he tries to find a solution," he said.
"He's an incredible human being, with incredible values about what it means in the locker room to be together, and he is already an incredible manager and he'll have incredible success in his future. We see the football in really quite a close way."
City, which is five points adrift of Premier League leader Liverpool, hosts Watford on Saturday.
- He's incredible - Guardiola hopeful of Fernandinho stay -
Pep Guardiola is hopeful midfielder Fernandinho stays at Manchester City beyond the end of the season when his contract expires. The 34-year-old joined City in 2013 from Shakhtar Donetsk and has gone on to become a vital – if often unheralded – cog in the team.
He featured 29 times last season as City edged out Liverpool in the title race, while he looks set for an important role at centre-back over the coming weeks following injuries to Aymeric Laporte and John Stones.
Spain international midfielder Rodri was brought in from Atletico Madrid in the transfer window, with every indication suggesting him to be the long-term replacement for Fernandinho. But Guardiola has no desire to see him leave, even if he is unsure about what is happening in terms of discussions.
"It's not my business, I'm sorry guys, it's Txiki's [Begiristain, City sporting director] business," Guardiola told reporters when asked if there had been progress in talks. "Do you have Txiki's phone number?
"Of course, he is a joyful player," Guardiola added when asked if he wanted the Brazilian to stay. "What he has done for all of us, especially me as a manager, our time together has paid off, it's incredible. He's incredible, so no doubts."
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