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An update on Enzo Maresca's future has emerged with the ex-Chelsea boss the leading contender to become Pep Guardiola's replacement at Manchester City
Former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is reportedly the clear frontrunner to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The west London club sacked Maresca, 46, in January after 18 months in charge.
City are preparing for Guardiola's inevitable exit with rumours swirling that the Spaniard could leave at the end of the season, despite having one more year left on his contract. Should Guardiola depart this summer, Maresca is a leading the race to take over at the Etihad Stadium.
According to The Guardian, there have been 'positive talks' over Maresca replacing his old mentor Guardiola. The Italian is City's preferred first-choice as they have been impressed with his work in management to date.
But there is a potential complication in City's pursuit of Maresca is that is thought to still have contractual obligations to Chelsea.
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The ex-Leicester boss is believed to have walked away from his contract at Stamford Bridge with three-and-a-half years left on his deal, plus the option of a further 12 months.
Maresca informed Chelsea before his departure that he had twice spoken to City about replacing Guardiola despite having until 2029 left on his contract - and his exit from the Blues stunned the footballing world.
He had guided the Blues back to the Champions League before winning the Conference League and the Club World Cup during his first season, after arriving from Leicester City in June 2024.
But Chelsea's board decided to sack Maresca with the club sitting fifth in the Premier League and in a strong position to secure a place in Europe's elite club competition for a second straight season.
Alongside that, the Blues were still in the Carabao Cup and inside the top eight of the Champions League.
After Chelsea Under 21s boss Callum McFarlane took charge of two matches on a caretaker basis, Liam Rosenior was appointed on a long-term contract following an impressive stint at sister club Strasbourg.
Despite a bright start to life at Stamford Bridge, Rosenior's tenure was brought to an end on Wednesday after a humbling 3-0 defeat at Brighton.
It stretched Chelsea's losing Premier League run to five matches and ensured they would drop down to seventh, now seven points behind fifth-place Liverpool in the race for the Champions League.
Throughout his time at Chelsea, Rosenior won 11 and drew two of his 23 matches at the helm.
McFarlane is now expected to lead the Blues through until the end of the season before a long-term successor is found.
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