Enzo Maresca drops telling hint over replacing Pep Guardiola at Man City – ‘I’m ready’
Enzo Maresca has been tipped to become Manchester City’s new manager if Pep Guardiola leaves, with the former Chelsea boss having been out of work since January
Enzo Maresca has opened up on his plans(Image: Gabriele Maltinti – FIGC/FIGC via Getty Images)
Ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is ‘ready’ to jump back into management amid reports that he’s a leading candidate to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Maresca, 46, left Chelsea in January after a fallout behind the scenes.
The Italian won two trophies in 18 months at Stamford Bridge, including the Club World Cup. Maresca’s stock remains high, especially in light of Chelsea’s struggles since his sudden departure.
Having worked alongside Guardiola at City and within their academy, he’s been tipped to replace the legendary manager should he decide to leave this summer. Guardiola is yet to confirm his plans and is under contract until 2027.
As for Maresca, he’s eager to return to the dugout. “I feel ready for the next chapter, that is the most important thing,” the 46-year-old confirmed on Sky Italia.
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When asked specifically about taking the City job, Maresca didn’t rule it out. “What matters, regardless of the club, is being ready,” he replied. “There are only a few weeks left until the end of the season, then we’ll see what happens.”
Maresca has also been linked with Napoli and Roma in his native Italy. His connection with City stems from the 2020-21 season, guiding their under-21 side to their first-ever Premier League 2 title.
That summer, Maresca left to take up his first managerial post at Parma but only lasted 14 games. The former West Bromwich Albion, Juventus and Sevilla midfielder later returned to City and was part of Guardiola’s coaching staff during the 2022-23 campaign, as City won the title.
Maresca then became Leicester’s new manager following their relegation from the Premier League and immediately guided them back to the top flight as champions. His time at Chelsea was turbulent, although the Blues qualified for the Champions League and won the Conference League in his first season.
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Due to going all the way at the Club World Cup, Chelsea weren’t able to have much of a break last summer and their players have suffered as a result. Following a run of two wins in nine games, coinciding with a series of disagreements off the pitch, Maresca left via mutual consent.
While City are making contingency plans for Guardiola’s possible depature, he recently dropped a hint that he’ll be staying. “I wouldn’t be (here for) 10 years, even with good titles, if I didn’t have an incredible environment” Guardiola explained.
“Now I feel more, I don’t know… happy, not happy, but I don’t know … still have incredible energy, still I’m so good, coming here to work on my day off.”
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