Odds slashed: Enzo Maresca now the favourite to be next manager at Premier League giants
Enzo Maresca has emerged as the overwhelming favourite to take over from Pep Guardiola at Man City.
The Italian left Chelsea by mutual consent at the start of the year, and is expected to pursue a new opportunity in the summer.
Several disagreements had seen controversy become frequent in Maresca‘s final weeks at Stamford Bridge, before his position was eventually deemed untenable.
Man City had already reportedly had contact with the 46-year-old’s representatives in the event that Guardiola leaves at the end of the season.
The Spaniard is under contract until the summer of 2027, but has been rumoured to be set to call time on his Premier League stay this year.
Enzo Maresca leads race to replace Pep Guardiola
It can only be assumed that Guardiola would be in favour of a move that sees Maresca replace him, if he is involved in the conversation.
The Italian was a part of the Man City coaching staff for the 2022-23 season, before he was appointed in charge of Leicester City.
There, he made his name by leading the Foxes to the Championship title and playing free-flowing football while doing it.
| Enzo Maresca | Chelsea |
| Wins | 55 |
| Draws | 16 |
| Losses | 21 |
| Scored | 191 |
| Conceded | 98 |
There were some doubts surrounding Chelsea’s decision to appoint Maresca in 2024, but he answered those questions by winning both the Conference League and the Club World Cup at the end of the season.
Beneath the surface, however, frustrations between the Italian and the board had been bubbling away for some time.
As Maresca hoped to bolster his squad for a push towards the Premier League title in the summer, decision-makers again seemed to be focused on signing young players with good potential.
And when defensive injuries struck in pre-season – Levi Colwill was ruled out with an ACL injury – Chelsea responded by doing nothing.
The relationship ultimately broke down as the going got tough, with the 46-year-old feeling as if he had been abandoned. One would expect that he would not find a similar experience at the Etihad Stadium.
One major bookmaker has slashed odds on Maresca being named Man City’s next manager to 7/4, leading Luis Enrique (3/1) and Xabi Alonso (4/1).
What Guardiola said about Maresca
Speaking about Maresca in December, Guardiola said: “One of the best managers in the world, Enzo Maresca, I know him quite well but, the job he has done at Chelsea does not get enough credit.
“Winning the Club World Cup, Conference League, qualification for the Champions League in a league that is so tough with a young team. It is exceptional.”
Broadage Sports Your Codes for Selected Widget & Options Insert in the HTML BodyMaresca would appear to be the perfect candidate to take over from Guardiola, considering the similarity in tactics the pair share.
It remains to be seen whether the Man City boss will indeed depart this summer, however, and if not, whether Maresca will find a job elsewhere.