PEP: WHAT WILL WE DO WITHOUT AGUER-OOO?

‘Sergio is irreplaceable .. it will be so tough for us when he leaves’ THE ALL-TIME GREAT

PEP GUARDIOLA has branded Sergio Aguero “irreplaceable” and admitted finding his successor will be his biggest challenge.

Aguero (below), Manchester City’s all-time leading scorer with 244 goals from 355 games, has 18 months left on his contract and is set to leave when that expires.

The Argentina striker’s legendary status at City is assured, with Guardiola acknowledging the club will find it hard to replace the greatest striker in their history.

“It will be one of the toughest challenges,” said Guardiola. “Sergio is irreplaceable. We have another incredible striker in Gabriel Jesus and maybe another one will come when Sergio leaves but he is irreplaceable.

“The most important moment of this club – more important than when this club hopefully wins the Champions League – is when Sergio scored that goal against QPR to win the club’s first league title for so many years– 44.

“That moment is much better than four titles in one season or whatever – and he was the guy.

“Sooner or later it will happen, he’ll decide when he leaves. I’m sure the club will be ready to try to find the guy to replace him but, of course, it will not be easy.”

Guardiola has played and worked with some of the world’s finest attacking talents, including Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Romario, Samuel Eto’o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

But the City boss said

Aguero, 31, as well as being one of the most gifted players he has worked with, is also the most humble, always putting the team before himself.

“I’ve never seen such a big star like him be so humble, so funny, and it’s a joy to work with him and how he accepts my decisions when it sometimes doesn’t work for him,” said Guardiola.

“Big stars don’t usually accept that. I’ve worked with other stars who believe they were bigger than Sergio when they weren’t and they were more difficult to handle and to be with.

“It’s not easy to find a guy with his status, his personality, his humility and how he accepts everything so perfectly.

“In the box he’s incredible but I had other guys who were not bad. Ronaldo, the Brazilian, Romario, Eto’o – he was one of the most incredible strikers I’ve seen, he could do everything – and Sergio is of course one of them.

“Messi is a little bit higher than them but Sergio is one of them. He can stay beyond his current deal but it depends on his physical condition and desire.

“Like with Vinnie Kompany who wanted to be here and then went to Belgium, like David Silva, sometimes you have to take a decision.

“But with most of the cases, the players decide. I would like Sergio to decide whether he wants more or if it’s over.”

Aguero made his return from injury as a sub in City’s 3-1 win over Leicester and will be on the bench again for tonight’s trip to Wolves, until he is fully fit to start a game.

“Now he’s still not ready for 90 minutes,” said Guardiola. “But we will give him as many minutes as possible.”

NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO saw his Wolves side hammer a big dent in Manchester City’s hopes of winning the title again in October.

But he is a big fan of the way City play and of Pep Guardiola’s management.

Nuno said of tonight’s opponents: “Everything is impressive – the quality of football, the idea of football that they have.

“They’re a fantastic team

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Win Percent with fantastic players and a fantastic manager.

“It’s amazing the way they play football, the quality they have in their manager and their players, so it’s going to be a very tough challenge.”

Wolves shocked the champions by winning 2-0 at the Etihad in October.

That inflicted their first home defeat under Guardiola since last December.

And they have regularly bloodied the noses of the top six since returning to the Premier League.

And Nuno believes they could pull off another surprise against City tonight.

“Every challenge has its difficulties and it’s going to be very tough,” he said.

“But we always have the same idea – the game is there to be played.”

After City, Wolves go to Anfield on Sunday to face leaders Liverpool – their second game in 45 hours.

“We have plans, but let’s see how this game goes and after that we will make the decisions,” added Nuno.

CALL HIM SER.. Guardiola says replacing the legend who won the league for City in 2012 will be so difficult