Enzo Maresca is beginning to emerge as the most likely contender to replace Pep Guardiola as rumors about the Spanish tactician’s future at Manchester City continue to circulate.
At City, Maresca was close to Guardiola and assisted him during the team’s 2023 Champions League victory.
A few months later, the Italian ventured out on his own. In his first senior managerial position with Leicester City, he won promotion to the Premier League before being enticed to Chelsea the following summer.
The 46-year-old, who departed the Blues in January, is regarded as a strong candidate to succeed Guardiola should the former Barcelona head coach decide to leave City at the end of the current campaign.
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Guardiola’s departure sooner rather than later is a “growing possibility,” according to The Guardian, with the esteemed 55-year-old coach enjoying a trophy-filled ten-year tenure in Manchester.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Maresca and City had previously communicated amid rumours that he may eventually take Guardiola’s place.
Additionally, he has already received support from his former manager, who called Maresca an “incredible manager” soon after he left Chelsea earlier this season.
Guardiola Spoke Highly Of Maresca
“We won’t talk much if we don’t know which manager will be there and I don’t know what’s going to happen, concern is thinking about yourself and our people are going to help us with two tough games against Chelsea and Brighton,” Guardiola said when he was asked about the prospect of Maresca replacing him at City.
“All I can say is that from my point of view Chelsea have lost an incredible manager and an incredible person.
“It’s a decision from the Chelsea hierarchy so I’ve nothing to say. How lucky I am in the club where I am. My club is extraordinary.”
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