Pep speaks candidly about Enzo Maresca amid rumors of succeeding Man City

As Enzo Maresca leaves Chelsea in chaos and is viewed as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola, the Man City manager surprisingly comes forward to support and commend his ex-assistant.

The sudden exit of Enzo Maresca from Chelsea sparked a major controversy in the Premier League. Just hours after the news was confirmed, speculation about the Italian coach’s future immediately surfaced, with the most notable being the possibility of him being on Manchester City's list to succeed Pep Guardiola in the near future.

Maresca left Chelsea amid a serious breakdown in relations with the senior management, especially Todd Boehly. Confusing remarks about a lack of internal support were made only weeks before his departure from Stamford Bridge.

After a 2-0 victory over Everton, Maresca admitted: “The last 48 hours have been the worst period since I arrived here, because too many people were not on our side”. This statement was seen as a clear sign of the breakdown.

In terms of results, Chelsea under Maresca declined in the Premier League, winning only one of their last seven matches, sitting fifth in the table and trailing top team Arsenal by 15 points. However, this did not change Pep Guardiola’s view. The Manchester City coach still holds great respect for his former colleague.

Pep Guardiola openly spoke out in defense of Maresca. “Enzo Maresca is one of the best coaches in the world. I know him very well, but what he achieved at Chelsea was not properly appreciated”, Pep emphasized. According to him, winning the Club World Cup, Conference League, and securing a Champions League spot with a young squad is an “extraordinary” achievement in the demanding environment of the Premier League.

Guardiola also highlighted the unique toughness of English football. “You can have a winning streak and then lose several games in a row. That only happens in this league, in this country. It’s completely possible”. Pep’s words were seen as a direct defense of Maresca amid heavy criticism of the Italian coach.

After leaving Chelsea, Maresca immediately became a sought-after name. According to The Athletic, Manchester City is considering him as the top candidate to replace Guardiola at Etihad in the future. This makes Pep’s comments even more significant, as he rarely openly praises a young coach so directly.

Maresca himself previously denied all speculation. “I know those rumors are 100% false. I have a contract until 2029 and am fully focused on this club”, he once stated while still at Chelsea. However, now that he has left Stamford Bridge, Maresca’s future is unfolding in unpredictable ways.

Guardiola’s words now are not simply encouragement for a former colleague but are also seen as a signal that Enzo Maresca is genuinely being considered at Etihad, despite all the recent upheaval at Chelsea.