Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has dismissed reports linking him with the Manchester City job as '100 per cent speculation', insisting his focus remains firmly on Stamford Bridge. The Italian has been touted as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola, under whom he previously worked as assistant manager and coached the Under-23s at the Etihad.
Ahead of Chelsea's Premier League trip to Newcastle United, Maresca addressed the rumours, saying: 'It doesn't affect me at all. I know that it is 100 per cent speculation and in this moment, there is no time for these things. I have a contract here until 2029 and my focus is about this club.' He also drew comparison to recent links with Juventus, stating he pays no attention to such talk.
Maresca, who guided Chelsea to the UEFA Conference League title, the Club World Cup and a fourth-place Premier League finish in his debut campaign, stressed there is more to achieve. 'Last year was good in terms of trophies and finishing fourth in the Premier League. The target is to try and improve on what we did last season,' he added.
The Blues currently sit fourth in the table but have taken just one win from their last four league games and lost 2-1 at Atalanta in the Champions League. Chelsea face Newcastle on Saturday afternoon, with Maresca expected to field a strong side as he seeks to arrest the recent dip in form.
