Enzo Maresca emerges as leading candidate to succeed Guardiola at Man City
Manchester City have identified Enzo Maresca as their preferred candidate to replace Pep Guardiola, should the long-serving manager leave the club this summer. According to reports, including those from The Guardian, City's sporting director Hugo Viana is leading contingency plans amid growing fears within the football world that Guardiola's decade-long tenure could conclude at the end of the season, despite him having a year remaining on his contract.
The 55-year-old Guardiola has repeatedly hinted that his time at the Etihad Stadium is nearing its end, recently stating he feels "closer to the end" of his City career. While no formal decision has been communicated, and Guardiola remains focused on a tight Premier League title race with Arsenal, the club is understood to be preparing for a potential major change. Maresca, who left his position as Chelsea manager in January, is considered the frontrunner for the role, having previously served as a coach on Guardiola's City staff.
The move, however, is complicated by Maresca's existing contractual situation. The Italian departed Stamford Bridge with more than three-and-a-half years left on his deal, leaving him with ongoing obligations to Chelsea. This could pose a significant hurdle in any negotiation. Maresca had reportedly already held talks with City about the position while still in charge at Chelsea, indicating a longstanding mutual interest.
Guardiola himself has publicly praised Maresca's abilities, calling him "one of the best managers in the world" last December. Previous reports have suggested Guardiola has given his approval for his former colleague to succeed him. Maresca's brief stint at Chelsea was his first major managerial role in England, following a successful season that led Leicester City to promotion from the Championship.
The speculation comes as other potential future candidates appear out of reach for the immediate future. Guardiola recently discussed the prospect of former City captain Vincent Kompany one day managing the club but stated the Belgian still has "many years" ahead of him in his current role at Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, reports have linked Maresca with a move for his former Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, should he take the City job, though such a transfer remains speculative.
For Manchester City, appointing Maresca would represent a clear attempt to maintain continuity after the Guardiola era, leveraging his deep understanding of the club's footballing philosophy. For Maresca, it would be a swift return to the highest level of management after his Chelsea departure, offering the chance to build upon the foundations of one of modern football's most dominant projects. The situation remains fluid, hinging entirely on Guardiola's final decision, which is not expected until after the season's conclusion.
