Enzo Maresca is emerging as the most likely candidate to succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, as speculation over the Spaniard's future continues to intensify.
Maresca worked closely with Guardiola at City, serving as his assistant when the club won the Champions League in 2023. The Italian then branched out on his own a few months later, securing promotion to the Premier League in his first senior management role with Leicester City before being lured to Chelsea the following summer.
The 46-year-old left the Blues in January and is now considered a top contender to replace Guardiola if his old mentor decides to conclude his trophy-laden tenure at the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season.
Guardiola's Departure a Growing Possibility
According to The Guardian, Guardiola leaving sooner rather than later is a 'growing possibility', with the revered former Barcelona coach having enjoyed a decade of success in Manchester.
It emerged earlier this year that Maresca and Manchester City have held discussions in the past amid speculation he may one day succeed Guardiola.
Guardiola's Endorsement
Maresca has already received the backing of his former boss, who described him as an 'incredible manager' shortly after his departure from Chelsea earlier this season.
'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 asked about the prospect of Maresca replacing him at City.
'Chelsea have always been dangerous and the Premier League is dangerous every game. 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.'
A month earlier, Guardiola lauded Maresca as 'one of the best managers in the world', stating that his former protege did not receive the credit he deserved for his work at Chelsea.
The Blues are once again searching for a head coach after parting company with Liam Rosenior, Maresca's successor, earlier this week. The former Strasbourg chief was just three months into a six-year contract, with Chelsea now poised to seek a coach with top-level experience in the summer.
