Guardiola lines up old pal Domenec Torrent as Man City No2 in case Arsenal poach Mikel Arteta to be next manager

PEP GUARDIOLA is interested in bringing back Domenec Torrent as Manchester City’s assistant manager if Mikel Arteta quits for Arsenal.

The Gunners are in the process of looking for a new manager, with a 12-man shortlist already drawn up.

The Spaniard is one of the leading candidates to take the job and return to the Emirates where he finished his career.

City would have to look for a replacement for the 37-year-old, who has 18 months left on his £800,000-a-year deal.

And it is understood Guardiola would be happy to bring back his close pal Torrent, who used to be City's assistant boss.

He was also Pep's assistant at both Barcelona and Bayern Munich as well as City - with the pair winning 24 trophies together.

The 57-year-old quit the Etihad last year for New York City FC, before leaving by mutual agreement last month.

A City source said: "Mikel is obviously wanted by Arsenal and Pep could ask Domenec to come back.

"The pair are very strong friends together from their days at Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

"He was here for the first two years and knows the squad inside out and he is very popular."

Meanwhile, Arteta would be interested in taking the Arsenal job if his former side come calling.

City would be entitled to compensation, but do not want him to leave, at least until the end of the season.

Guardiola is intent on keeping him at the club, but would not stand in his way if a return was on the cards.