Enzo Maresca held Man City talks before bombshell Chelsea exit

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Chelsea and Enzo Maresca have parted ways on New Year's Day just days before the club travel to Manchester City in the Premier League

Enzo Maresca is understood to have held talks with Manchester City while still Chelsea manager regarding potentially replacing Pep Guardiola when he leaves the Etihad Stadium. According to football.london, Maresca informed Chelsea, as he was contractually obliged to do, that he had spoken to the Blues.

This news was met with disapproval by the Chelsea hierarchy, who believed it was an unnecessary distraction during the season. Maresca was quizzed on these reports in a December press conference but played them down as being mere speculation. He said: "It doesn’t affect me at all because I know that is 100% speculation.

"And in this moment, there is no time for these kind of things. First of all, because I have a contract here until 2029 probably. My focus, I said many times, is just about this club and I’m very proud to be here.

"But again, it’s speculation. One week ago I was [being talked about] in Italy, the same with Juventus. So I don’t pay attention because I know that is not true." Pep Guardiola also responded to these reports the same day and insisted he had no plans to leave City at the end of the season.

Guardiola has a contract set to run until the end of the 2026/27 season and having honoured those deals for the entirety of his managerial career, it would be unlikely he would depart mid-contract. However, this situation is set to reignite again now Maresca and Chelsea have parted ways.

In a statement posted online, Chelsea explained: "During his time at the club, Enzo led the team to success in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup. Those achievements will remain an important part of the club’s recent history, and we thank him for his contributions to the club.

"With key objectives still to play for across four competitions, including qualification for Champions League football, Enzo and the club believe a change gives the team the best chance of getting the season back on track. We wish Enzo well for the future."

Adding to the narrative further is the small matter of City's meeting with Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday. The Blues will be looking to keep the pressure on leaders Arsenal with a win at the Etihad Stadium.

But before they can turn their attention to that game, City must first overcome the task of Sunderland this evening at the Stadium of Light.