Manchester City are actively considering Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca as a leading candidate to replace Pep Guardiola, should the Spaniard decide to leave the Etihad Stadium next summer. Sources confirm that contingency planning is well underway at City.
Guardiola's Final Season?
Despite signing a contract extension through June 2027, there is growing anticipation that this could be Guardiola's last campaign in Manchester. The 54-year-old has made it clear he will take a break from football whenever he decides to depart. A decade at City would mark an extraordinary era – six Premier League titles, four League Cups, two FA Cups, and the club's first Champions League triumph.
City's hierarchy are determined not to be caught unprepared. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Maresca's name is prominent among the candidates being discussed internally.
Why Maresca Makes Sense
The 45-year-old Italian is no stranger to the City Group culture. He managed City's Under-23 side during the 2020-21 season before returning in 2022 as part of Guardiola's first-team coaching staff. That season, City won the treble – Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.
Maresca's footballing philosophy is deeply rooted in the principles he learned under Guardiola. His subsequent success at Leicester City, where he won the Championship title, and at Chelsea, where he claimed the Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup, has only enhanced his credentials.
Tensions at Stamford Bridge
Maresca's situation at Chelsea adds intrigue to the story. Following the 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atalanta, the Italian made cryptic comments that raised eyebrows. After the subsequent Everton win, he described the build-up as "the worst 48 hours since I joined the club because many people didn't support us."
The remarks are widely believed to be aimed at Chelsea's hierarchy, leaving senior officials confused. Maresca recently switched representation to super-agent Jorge Mendes – a move viewed as strategic for his long-term ambitions.
The Numbers
Maresca is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2030. Any approach would require significant compensation from City. Chelsea currently sit fourth in the Premier League with 28 points, eight behind leaders Arsenal.
City, meanwhile, are just two points off the top with 34 points. Guardiola's final decision is expected later this season.
Understanding is that City view Maresca as the ideal continuity candidate – someone who can preserve the club's footballing identity while adding his own stamp.
