Enzo Maresca will be ‘tempted’ by Man City offer after confirmed Chelsea news
Enzo Maresca will be tempted by an offer from Man City should they target him as the replacement for Pep Guardiola when his contract expires in 2027.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Maresca‘s connections at Man City will make it hard to turn them down.
This comes after Football Insider revealed in November that Man City are working to identify Guardiola’s replacement for when his deal expires in 2027.
While former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi is also believed to be on their list of targets, Maresca has emerged as one of the leading contenders for the role.
The Chelsea boss has enjoyed a successful tenure at Stamford Bridge, winning the Club World Cup and Conference League, but has cast doubt over his position.
Man City to tempt Enzo Maresca away from Chelsea
Former City financial adviser Stefan Borson told Football Insider on 22 December that there is uncertainty about Guardiola’s future, with no clear decision made.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience working closely alongside elite-level managers including Sir Alex Ferguson for over a decade at Man United, insisted that Maresca is now being lined up as an option in case the legendary boss walks away.
“Maresca is definitely a candidate if and when Guardiola leaves,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s got strong connections at Man City, he knows the people, he’s been there and he’s worked there, so he’s in that mould that City want and like.
“That makes him a very strong contender, and he’d be a very good option for them.
“I think he’s come out with a few questionable statements at Chelsea where nobody really knows what he’s hinting at, but he also won’t clarify.
“That leaves it open to conjecture and speculation, is he hinting that he’s not happy at Chelsea?
“So all of this stuff adds up, and given the relationships he already has at Man City, it wouldn’t surprise me if it was already in his mind about going back.
“I think if they decided he was the one they wanted to replace Pep when that time comes, he could certainly be tempted away from Chelsea.”
Maresca drops new Chelsea exit hint
Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, but it was Maresca’s outburst which grabbed headlines, as he claimed it had been “the worst 48 hours” during his time at the club.
The comment was seemingly aimed at the club’s ownership, drawing large waves of support from the fans who have seen major progress made under the boss.
Brown told Football Insider that Maresca’s comments raised concerns about his Chelsea role, with the club unlikely to have been pleased.
Despite the comments and apparent growing rift between the manager and the hierarchy, however, Chelsea are unlikely to sack Maresca as things stand.
Football Insider revealed on 15 December that Chelsea have no doubts about Maresca’s future despite his comments, and hope to continue to back him.
For more Chelsea and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.