Pep Guardiola’s fiery response to Enzo Maresca rumours before Man City U-turn
Outgoing Manchester City chief Pep Guardiola has been fully aware of rumours linking Enzo Maresca with his job and gave a spicy reply when quizzed on the topic
Pep Guardiola lost his temper when questions over Enzo Maresca potentially taking his job at Manchester City boiled over(Image: 2025 CameraSport)
Pep Guardiola looks set to leave Manchester City – but it wasn’t long ago that he was fending off questions about Enzo Maresca as his potential replacement. The departing Manchester City boss has been dogged by rumours Maresca was set to replace him at the Etihad for some months.
It emerged on Monday the speculation appeared to be true after Guardiola’s appeared to be all but confirmed. The Catalan is contracted at City until the summer of 2027 but is now set to step down one year early as he celebrates a decade at City.
Former City youth coach and Pep assistant Maresca is expected to be named as the heir to the Etihad throne. And Guardiola clearly tired of the queries surrounding his future amid rumours hinting his former protege was coming for his position.
In response to a question over his future and whether he was aware of rumours hinting Maresca was due to replace him, he said in January: “You want to fire me? My salary is so high, so I have one more year.”
FOLLOW OUR MAN CITY FB PAGE! Follow our Manchester City Mirror Football Facebook page
The tensions didn’t end there, however, after the Catalan was quizzed further on whether he intended to see out the last year of his deal. And Guardiola was unequivocal in his response.
READ MORE: Enzo Maresca could sign four Chelsea players when he replaces Pep Guardiola at Man CityREAD MORE: ‘I’ve played under Mourinho, Pochettino and Conte but Man City’s next manager is much better’
“Oh my God. I have a contract, I’ve said it a thousand million times,” came his response. “I know you are bored of me, 10 years here. You want (me to leave)? Yeah, I’m pretty sure of that.”
As it turns out, Guardiola will not see out the duration of his contract as he prepares to leave this summer. And it leaves his successor with some of the biggest shoes to fill in the history of football management.
The 55-year-old will leave as one of the most successful coaches in European football, having ushered in an unprecedented period of success at the Etihad. However, former assistant Maresca provides a fine chance of mimicking the same systems that made his predecessor such a hit in England.
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
Guardiola has won six Premier League titles, the Champions League, three FA Cups, five League Cups and a FIFA Club World Cup at City. For all the success the club started to find prior to his arrival, it was only after Guardiola joined in 2016 that the club truly crystallised into the superpower of today.
Maresca will be under huge pressure to recreate his old mentor’s vision and bring City onto even greater heights. However, it’s questionable whether he’ll receive any aid from his former colleague as Guardiola calls time on his City tenure one year early.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us – and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
