Pep Guardiola says finding a striker to fill “irreplaceable” club record scorer Sergio Aguero’s role at Manchester City will be “one of my biggest challenges”.
But the City manager has not given up hope that the 31-year-old, who has hit 244 goals for the club, will remain beyond the end of his contract in 2021.
It is anticipated Aguero will return to Argentina whenever he does leave City.
“He can stay but it depends on his physical condition and his desire,” said Guardiola.
“Replacing him will be one of my biggest challenges because he is irreplaceable.”
The Argentina forward, who has scored 13 times for City this season, arrived from Atletico Madrid for £38m in 2011.
He has been more prolific than anyone else for City and, according to Guardiola, has also scored their most significant goal – the injury-time winner against Queens Park Rangers in 2012 that made the club English champions for the first time since 1968.
“It is the most important moment for this club – more important than when it, hopefully, wins the Champions League,” said Guardiola. “It is much better than four titles in one season or whatever. And he was the guy.”
