Pep Guardiola quit claims as Man City 'eye up Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca'

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Manchester City are reportedly considering a move for Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca as a potential replacement for Pep Guardiola, should the head coach leave at the end of the season

Manchester City are reportedly eyeing a potential move for Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola's successor, should the Spanish tactician depart the Etihad next summer.

According to The Athletic, the Chelsea manager features prominently "high among the candidates" being considered to take over from Guardiola. The report suggests City are actively developing backup strategies for replacing Guardiola, despite his contract running until 2027. Nevertheless, speculation continues to swirl regarding a potential early departure after almost a decade in charge at the club.

Maresca boasts strong connections with the City hierarchy, having previously managed their under-21 side before stepping up as Guardiola's right-hand man in 2022. The Italian's career trajectory then took him to Leicester City, where he secured immediate promotion from the Championship.

Following Chelsea's decision to part ways with Mauricio Pochettino at the season's conclusion, they swiftly appointed Maresca as their new manager. The 45 year old steered the Blues to Champions League qualification and delivered the first silverware of the BlueCo ownership, claiming victory in the Europa Conference League.

A solid start to the current season has seen Maresca propel Chelsea into a Premier League title conversation, despite the departure of some key players during the summer transfer window and the absence of Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill for most of the season. This highlights the commendable work of the coach, although it hasn't been all smiles around Cobham, reports football.london.

Maresca has put his future at Stamford Bridge into some doubt recently. After the 2-1 defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League and prior to their win over Everton, the Italian suggested that he hadn't been give support by the club.

"Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst because many people didn't support us." When pressed to elaborate on that, he simply said: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn't support me and the team."

Earlier this month, Guardiola called Maresca "one of the best" managers in world football. He said: "One of the best managers in the world, Enzo Maresca. I know him quite well. The job he has done at Chelsea is not credited enough.

"Won the Club World Cup, Conference League, qualification for the Champions League. It’s so tough. Young team, how he developed all the players. It’s exceptional. Going to Elland Road, look what happened… It’s really, really difficult [to win games in the Premier League].”

Guardiola is contracted at City until the end of the 2026/27 season, after signing a new deal at the end of 2024. The 54-year-old hasn't given much away regarding his future when asked.