Enzo Maresca pressed directly on Man City job as manager responds over replacing Pep Guardiola
Enzo Maresca has opened up on the prospect of replacing Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, with the Italian out of work after he was sacked by Chelsea
Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been linked with replacing Pep Guardiola at Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)
Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has insisted he is “ready for the next chapter” amid rumours linking him with replacing Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Maresca, who spent the 2022/23 season as Guardiola’s assistant at the Etihad Stadium, left the club to join Leicester City in the Championship. The Italian impressed at the Foxes and helped them win promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
While some were intrigued to see how Maresca would get on at Leicester in the top flight, he decided to leave them in May 2024 to become the new Chelsea head coach.
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It’s a move that paid off for Maresca, as his stock has risen tenfold despite his dismissal on New Year’s Day. He guided the Blues back into the Champions League, won the Conference League and then the Club World Cup all in his first season at Stamford Bridge.
But a mixed start to this season, coupled with Maresca saying in a press conference that he is not getting support at the club, saw Chelsea axe the 46-year-old in January.
Since his dismissal almost six months ago, Maresca has emerged as the leading contender to return to City and replace Guardiola when he leaves the club.
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Reports emerged last month that Maresca is City’s preferred candidate to come in and continue the work Guardiola has done across the past decade.
With speculation increasing, Maresca has now broken silence around a return to management and was pressed directly on becoming Guardiola’s successor at City.
“I feel ready for the next chapter, that is the most important thing,” Maresca admitted on Sky Sport Italia.
When asked specifically about a possible move back to City, he added: “What matters, regardless of the club, is being ready. There are only a few weeks left until the end of the season, then we’ll see what happens.”
Guardiola, who has been at City since 2016, has one year left on his contract in Manchester. But there is talk that the Spaniard could walk from his position at the end of this season.
Speaking about his future earlier this month, Guardiola, however, dropped a huge hint that he could remain at City until his contract expires next summer. “I wouldn’t be 10 years (here) – even with good titles – if I didn’t have this incredible environment,” Guardiola said last week.
“I still have incredible energy, still I’m so good, coming here to work on my days off. Of course we’re here because we won a lot – and that’s why they don’t fire you, because they continue to trust you – but apart from that, the club is really, really extraordinary.
“The people take care of all of us in all details. The little details mean my job as a manager and the players, is to just think about what you have to do. It’s like a bubble that makes people feel good. It’s a big club, but here it is a family.”
Guardiola and City have four matches to go this season. Three in the Premier League against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Aston Villa, as well as the FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.
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