Salah and Guardiola Are Gone: What Losing Two Icons Means for Liverpool and City
The Premier League season kicks off with a seismic shift. Liverpool and Manchester City, two of England's most dominant clubs, are stepping into a new era without the two figures who defined their recent success: Mohamed Salah and Pep Guardiola. For South African football fans who have watched these giants from afar, this is a moment of reckoning, a reminder that even the mightiest empires eventually face the void.
Salah, the Egyptian forward who became a global icon at Anfield, has moved to Turkish club Trabzonspor. Guardiola, the Catalan mastermind, resigned at the end of last season after a decade of unprecedented triumph at City. Now, both clubs must answer a question they have long avoided: what happens when the pillars fall?
What does Mohamed Salah's departure mean for Liverpool?
Salah joined Liverpool from Roma in 2017 for £36 million, and few could have predicted the impact he would have. Over 442 appearances, he scored 257 goals, making him the third-highest scorer in the club's history. He won two Premier League titles, a Champions League, the FA Cup, and the League Cup. His legacy is etched in Merseyside's memory.
But the end was bitter. Salah was dropped several times by then-manager Arne Slot and publicly accused the club of throwing him under the bus. He scored just seven league goals last season as Liverpool finished fifth, a far cry from their usual standards. Slot was sacked, and now Andoni Iraola steps in to rebuild a squad without its talisman.
Iraola will look to Sweden striker Alexander Isak, who struggled with injuries in his first season at Anfield, and new signing Victor Munoz, alongside teenager Rio Ngumoha. But replacing a generational talent like Salah is not a one-player job. It is a collective effort, and the pressure is on.
How will Manchester City cope without Pep Guardiola?
Guardiola's reign at City was nothing short of historic. He won six Premier League titles, the club's first Champions League, and a total of 20 trophies. His final season ended with FA Cup and League Cup triumphs, but City lost their grip on the league title, finishing seven points behind Arsenal.
The 55-year-old admitted he struggled to find the energy to lead City's fight last season. The departure of his trusted director of football, Txiki Begiristain, in 2025 left him feeling that a part of me is leaving. Add to that the ongoing Football Association charges over alleged financial breaches, and Guardiola's exit felt inevitable.
Now, Enzo Maresca takes the helm. The Italian worked as Guardiola's assistant during the treble-winning 2022-23 season, but his managerial CV is thin: less than two seasons at Chelsea, a year in the Championship with Leicester, and a brief stint at Parma. He faces a daunting task, and the club's expensively assembled rebuild has only been partially successful.
Can either club truly replace their icons?
The short answer is no. Not fully. Salah and Guardiola were not just players or managers; they were symbols of an era. For Liverpool, Salah represented hope and excellence. For City, Guardiola was the architect of a dynasty. Their absences will be felt not just on the pitch, but in the very identity of these clubs.
As the Premier League season begins, City host Bournemouth on Sunday, while Liverpool travel to Newcastle. The results will be telling, but the real test will be over the course of the season. Can Maresca and Iraola forge new identities? Can the players step up? Or will these clubs, like so many before them, struggle to fill the void left by greatness?
For South African fans, there is a lesson here. In football, as in life, no one is irreplaceable. But the transition is never smooth. It takes time, patience, and a willingness to embrace change. Liverpool and City are about to learn that lesson the hard way.
What are the biggest challenges facing the new managers?
For Maresca, the challenge is twofold: he must maintain City's standards while navigating a squad in transition. Key players like Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson, Kyle Walker, and Riyad Mahrez have left in recent years, and the new signings have yet to gel. The shadow of Guardiola looms large, and every decision will be compared to his legacy.
For Iraola, the task is to rebuild Liverpool's attack without Salah. The club has invested in new talent, but the pressure to perform immediately is immense. The fans demand success, and the history of the club demands nothing less.
Why does this matter for South African football fans?
South Africa has a deep connection to the Premier League, and players like Salah have inspired a generation across the continent. His departure, and Guardiola's exit, mark the end of an era that many fans grew up watching. But it also opens the door for new stories, new heroes, and new rivalries. Change is inevitable, but the passion for the game remains.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Liverpool and City. Will they rise to the challenge, or will they falter? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: football never stands still, and neither should we.