Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca applauds the fans (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Manchester City are already laying the groundwork for a possible post-Pep Guardiola era, and Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has emerged as one of the top players being targeted should the Catalan boss leave next summer.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Maresca is highly regarded in internal discussions at City, with contingency planning quietly continuing amid widespread belief that the current season could be Guardiola’s last at the Etihad Stadium.
While no final decision has yet been made, several well-placed sources outside the club suggest there is growing anticipation that Guardiola may opt to end his remarkable spell in charge of City at the end of the campaign.
Pep Guardiola may leave Man City next year
Those close to the situation point out that it may be clear at the end of the season, but City managers are determined not to be caught unprepared.
Maresca’s rapid rise in management has put him on the elite coaching map. Since taking over at Chelsea following his Championship triumph with Leicester City, the Italian has impressed with his calm authority, tactical clarity, and ability to stabilize a club that has been going through a turbulent transition.
In a relatively short time, he helped guide the Blues to silverware, including the UEFA Conference League and the Club World Cup, restoring a sense of direction and identity to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea were in a difficult situation when Maresca arrived, with the team’s imbalance and progress threatening outside pressure.
His methodical approach, emphasis on ball control, and clear tactical messages have been highly praised by commentators and former players.
High-quality recruitment, which is in line with his philosophy, has also strengthened his standing within the game.
Man City’s interest is also based on familiarity. Maresca is no stranger to the team’s culture or way of working.
Chelsea coach Maresca knows Man City well
He managed City’s Under-23 side in 2020 before returning in 2022 as part of Guardiola’s first-team coaching staff, giving him a valuable insight into the policies that have cemented City’s dominance at home and in Europe.
That shared football DNA makes him a logical and attractive fan base.
Adding another interesting element to the story, Maresca recently switched to super-agent Jorge Mendes in the autumn, a move widely seen as strategic, designed to support his long-term managerial ambitions at the very top of the game.
Whether Maresca would agree to leave Chelsea for a Premier League rival is yet to be confirmed.
However, the prospect of succeeding Guardiola, working with world-class talent, and consistently competing for major trophies would undoubtedly be tempting.
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