Chelsea's Enzo Maresca stance, Pep Guardiola praise and Man City managerial shortlist

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Enzo Maresca's future at Stamford Bridge is uncertain after eye-catching comments made during a recent press conference as Chelsea manager.

Enzo Maresca gestures to Chelsea's fans.

Enzo Maresca has made some surprise comments in recent press conferences amid links to Man City.

Everything you need to know about Enzo Maresca's much-talked about situation - and future - at Stamford Bridge...

Manchester City have reportedly identified Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca as the primary candidate to succeed Pep Guardiola. That speculation has increased amid uncertainty over whether or not Guardiola will choose to leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the current season.
Guardiola recently praised Maresca as one of the best managers in the world, noting that his achievements at Chelsea deserve more credit. He highlighted Maresca's success, winning the FIFA Club World Cup and the Conference League while managing a very young squad.
Maresca has a deep history with Man City, having served as both the Elite Development Squad manager and later as Guardiola's assistant. He played a vital role during City's historic treble-winning season, before leaving to start his own successful managerial career.
Under Maresca's leadership, Chelsea have secured significant silverware and successfully qualified for the Champions League in a highly-competitive division. His ability to maintain a title challenge, despite heavy squad rotation, has impressed many observers within the football community.
While Maresca's style is often compared to Guardiola's, he has publicly stated he's his own man - and not simply 'City 2.0'. Statistics show that his tactical approach at Chelsea focuses on lower physical endurance and controlled movement, compared to City's high-intensity running.
Despite his success on the pitch, Maresca recently made headlines by describing a period at the club as his 'worst 48 hours' due to a perceived lack of support. These cryptic comments have fuelled speculation about potential friction between the manager and Chelsea's hierarchy or ownership.
Pundits like Jamie Carragher have suggested that Maresca's public outbursts regarding club support could lead to an early exit from Stamford Bridge. This instability at Chelsea makes the prospect of a move to Man City appear increasingly plausible to many experts.
Chelsea have currently declined to comment on the reports linking their head coach with a move to their Premier League rivals. The club appears focused on the current season, even as rumours persist about City 'hatching a plan' to bring their former assistant back.