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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about his own future again and the departure from Chelsea of Enzo Maresca.
Pep Guardiola warned Chelsea that they have lost an 'incredible manager' after Enzo Maresca left the club ahead of their match with Manchester City. The former City assistant and academy coach will no longer be in the away dugout at the Etihad this weekend after a messy and abrupt ending at Stamford Bridge.
Guardiola usually refuses to discuss managerial exits but did speak up for the qualities of his former colleague. Even if the change at Chelsea will make it more difficult for the Blues to prepare for the game, the City manager will not have to contend with a coach who has masterminded victories over Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Liverpool in recent months.
City can move 13 points clear of fifth-placed Chelsea with a win on Sunday and are looking to go all the way in the Premier League and Champions League this season having rebuilt the squad. Guardiola did not care for more questions about his future given claims City had spoken to Maresca before his Chelsea exit, but is grateful for the support he has received from his bosses after a difficult patch last season.
"We won't talk much if we don't know which manager will be there and I don't know what's going to happen, concern is thinking about yourself and our people are going to help us with two tough games against Chelsea and Brighton," Guardiola said. "Chelsea have always been dangerous and the Premier League is dangerous every game.
"All I can say is that from my point of view Chelsea have lost an incredible manager and an incredible person. It's a decision from the Chelsea hierarchy so I've nothing to say. How lucky I am in the club where I am. My club is extraordinary.
"I have a contract. I say a thousand million times, I know you're bored of me, I've been here for ten years and I promise you I will leave one day but I have a contract, I'm happy, I want to fight with my team, the hierarchy respect me - they proved last season when we didn't win one game in three months and they supported me."
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