Manchester City eye move for Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca – report
There is a growing sense Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City next summer
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is on the shortlist to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City next summer, according to a report in The Athletic.
David Ornstein reports there is a growing expectation at the Etihad that this will be Guardiola’s final season at the club, at which point he would have spent 10 years in charge.
He signed a new deal in November 2024 that ties him to City until 2027 but the belief is he will leave 12 months prior with a decision expected nearer the time.
Maresca has worked at City previously
That creates a huge void for City to fill and it may be they turn to someone who knows the club well. Maresca fits that bill having worked under Guardiola either side of a spell as coach of Italian club Parma.
And while most observers are impressed with the job he has done at Stamford Bridge, guiding Chelsea to the Club World Cup title over the summer and last season’s Conference League title, it seems he feels a lack of appreciation from those within the club.
After last Saturday’s 2-0 win over Everton – a result that moved the West London club up to fourth in the table – he complained of a “lack of support” and, although he refused to elaborate on who exactly he was unhappy with, he made it clear it was not with the supporters.
The Italian left City for Leicester in 2023 and promptly led them to promotion from the Championship before being handed the reins at Chelsea.
He has a contract until 2029 and the club’s American owners may not take lightly to losing the 45-year-old, who is now represented by super agent Jorge Mendes, to one of their title rivals.