Guardiola's successor will find it easier than those who followed Ferguson, says Brown

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City successor will have a better chance of hitting the ground running than those who followed Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, believes Wes Brown.

Guardiola called time on his glittering, 10-year career with City at the end of the season, having brought 20 trophies to the Etihad Stadium.

That haul is made up of six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five EFL Cups, one Champions League, three Community Shields, one UEFA Super Cup and one Club World Cup.

City won the FA Cup and the EFL Cup in Guardiola's final season, having previously accomplished that feat as part of their 2018-19 domestic treble – Guardiola is the only manager to win both domestic cups in the same campaign twice.

Enzo Maresca, who worked under Guardiola at City before leading Leicester City to the Championship title and Chelsea to the Club World Cup and Conference League crowns, is widely expected to take the reins.

And Brown, who spent the first 15 years of his club career under Ferguson at United, believes Guardiola has left City in a brilliant place.

"What a manager," Brown said of Guardiola in an exclusive interview with Stats Perform. 

"He's brought in a whole style of play that everybody now adapts to. It's as simple as that. For me, he was 100% the guy who was the start of that. 

"But he was brilliant for City. I still think he's left the club with great players. It's going to be very difficult now for the next manager to come in, I'm sure it will, because as you said, when Sir Alex left, no-one could really fit those shoes. 

"Pep's way of playing might be completely different, but I will say he's left them with great players and obviously a great trophy cabinet. He'll always be remembered there. 

"I think, regardless of what team you played for, you respect managers who have really turned clubs around and got them winning things. 

"Even 15 years ago, you never would have thought that would happen. He's a great coach and he definitely knows how to put a team together."

United have gone 13 years without winning the Premier League since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, never going close in the Champions League in that time, either.

But when asked if Guardiola's successor could immediately have City competing for the biggest honours again, Brown said: "In the simple fact that he's got the majority of the players... yes. 

"Obviously, it's still early days, you don't know what's going to happen, but he has got the players there. But that's where the pressure comes in, because the expectation would be, okay you might bring in one or two, but the players are there."

"Let's be honest, City nearly got it back this season, they made it very interesting. A lot of the players have good experience. They've won leagues, they've won the Champions League, there's a lot of players that know what it takes to get stuff done."

With Chelsea and Liverpool also making managerial changes, after United confirmed the permanent appointment of Michael Carrick, next season's Premier League will have a fresh feel.

Arsenal will start out as favourites to defend their title, but Brown has a feeling the Gunners might face stern competition.

"I don't think there are any guarantees for any team," he said. "If you asked me whether Arsenal will win it next year, I'd say probably not, so it's going to be interesting."