Key Takeaways
- Enzo Maresca is now Manchester City’s top target if Pep Guardiola leaves this summer.
- Guardiola once praised Maresca as “one of the best managers in the world” after working with him at City.
- Maresca may still owe Chelsea money after walking out on a long-term deal in January.
Manchester City have made Enzo Maresca their number-one option to take charge if Pep Guardiola decides to step away at the end of the campaign, sources have told KenyanPremier.
Maresca, 44, has been without a club since leaving Chelsea two months ago. City bosses have already held friendly talks with the Italian, who previously served as Guardiola’s assistant during the club’s 2023 Champions League triumph.
Guardiola, 55, still has 12 months left on his contract, but senior figures at the Etihad believe he could call time on his nine-year reign in June. Director of football Hugo Viana is drawing up a shortlist, and Maresca heads the pack.
One hurdle is the messy exit from Stamford Bridge. Maresca quit Chelsea while tied to a deal that ran until 2028, with an extra-year option. The London club could seek compensation, complicating any swift appointment.
Reports in England claim Maresca spoke twice to City representatives before he left Chelsea, angering his then-employers. The timing raised eyebrows: he resigned just days before Chelsea were due to play City in the league.
Guardiola has never hidden his admiration for his former colleague. Last December he called Maresca’s work at Chelsea “exceptional” and labelled him among the planet’s elite coaches. Both men share a love of possession football, making the hand-over smoother.
Maresca first arrived at City in 2020 to coach the under-23 side. He later stepped up to Guardiola’s first-team staff and helped guide the squad to a historic treble. In 2024 he took Leicester City back to the Premier League, then accepted the Chelsea job.
Despite winning the Conference League and Club World Cup in West London, a run of poor results saw him sacked in January. Several Chelsea stars, including Enzo Fernández and Marc Cucurella, publicly praised his methods after his departure.
City are also monitoring Fernández as they plan midfield reinforcements. Chelsea will listen to offers, but only at a premium price.
Replacing Guardiola will rank among the toughest tasks in modern football, akin to David Moyes following Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. For now, all eyes stay on Guardiola’s next move — and on Maresca’s potential return to Manchester.
