Reports suggest Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has entered Manchester City\u2019s succession conversation as a potential replacement for Pep Guardiola. Per The Athletic, the Chelsea boss is described as “high among the candidates” Manchester City are considering to fill the gap Guardiola will leave at the Etihad when he eventually steps down.<\/p>\n
Guardiola lauded Maresca earlier this season, calling him “one of the best managers in the world.” That public praise has fed speculation that the current Chelsea coach could be viewed internally as a viable long-term option for City.<\/p>\n
Despite signing an extension that runs until the summer of 2027, there is “a growing anticipation” that Guardiola could call it quits at the end of the current campaign. This season marks Guardiola\u2019s 10th at Manchester City; he previously managed four years in Catalonia and three at Bayern Munich, doubling his longest spell at a single club.<\/p>\n
Guardiola explained how he felt compelled to continue at City in November 2024 to help steer the club out of a dire run of form. The decline accelerated in the short term before he oversaw a third-place finish, two points above Maresca\u2019s Chelsea, and a run to the FA Cup final. Reports add that any final decision on Guardiola\u2019s future is likely to be delayed until the end of the campaign, consistent with the coach\u2019s history of operating on one-year rolling contracts.<\/p>\n
The timing of the story coincides with a challenging period for Maresca at Stamford Bridge. The Italian admitted to experiencing the “worst 48 hours” of his Chelsea tenure after perceived signals of a lack of faith from unnamed parties. Contact with the club\u2019s co-sporting directors and owners has been described as limited, leaving his immediate future uncertain.<\/p>\n
Chelsea have Maresca under contract until 2029, and that deal includes a one-year extension clause. While Maresca\u2019s Chelsea agreement is lengthy, the reports note that appetite to continue is not guaranteed on either side as the season progresses.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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