In the swirling tide of managerial speculation, Pep Guardiola has confessed his ignorance over whether Enzo Maresca has held discussions about stepping into the managerial hot seat at Manchester City. Speaking candidly about his own future at the Etihad, Guardiola addressed recent rumours linking Maresca to the club.
January 1st saw a surprising turn of events as Chelsea parted ways with Maresca, despite his relatively successful tenure, having guided the team to fifth in the Premier League, alongside a UEFA Conference League triumph and a Club World Cup victory last season. Strains in his relationship with the board appear to have culminated in this dramatic departure.
Amid these developments, murmurs have circulated suggesting Maresca is poised to succeed Guardiola should the Spaniard decide to leave this summer. Maresca’s prior connections with Manchester City—serving as both Under-23s coach and a first-team assistant under Guardiola—add a layer of familiarity to the narrative.
However, Guardiola, whose contract endures until 2027, has distanced himself from such talk. “No idea,” was his succinct response when quizzed about any ongoing conversations between Maresca and City. Guardiola was transparent in his admiration for the Italian, stating, “Chelsea, from my point of view, lose an incredible manager, an incredible person. But it’s their decision.”
Reflecting on his own tenure, Guardiola affirmed his dedication to City, despite the speculation. “I have a contract. It’s been 10 years here. I will leave one day, but I have a contract. I’m happy. I want to fight with my team. The hierarchy respect me, that was proven last season. They supported me even when results weren’t forthcoming.”
Manchester City’s forthcoming clash is set against Chelsea, now a team without a permanent manager. This managerial void could introduce an unpredictable element to the encounter. With City also preparing for a challenging schedule that includes Brighton, Guardiola remains focused: “We don’t talk much if we don’t know what the opponent’s going to be like. Think about yourself, what you have to do.”
As the football world continues to speculate, Guardiola’s commitment to his current role offers reassurance to City faithful, even as the rumour mill continues to churn.