Sources: Man City coach Maresca rejects Southampton manager offer
Man City assistant manager Enzo Maresca turned down the Southampton job before they offered it to Russell Martin, sources have told Football Insider.
The relegated Premier League club tried to lure Pep Guardiola’s number two during their search for a new manager.
But Italian Maresca, 43, rejected an offer from Southampton to remain at the newly-crowned Premier League champions.
Southampton are now finalising a deal for Martin that is expected to be announced imminently.
Football Insider revealed on Saturday (20th May) that Martin, the Swansea City manager, has a full agreement with Southampton to take over on a permanent basis.
The Saints are set to formalise a deal to make the 37-year-old their new boss this week as they prepare for life in the Championship.
Martin has only a year left on his contract at the Welsh club and has repeatedly made clear his willingness to extend his stay but no new deal has materialised.
The Saints have already made changes to their management structure ahead of the 2023-24 campaign with Jason Wilcox joining as their new director of football and Darren Mowbray expected to be named as the new head of recruitment.
Maresca returned to City join Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff last summer after his departure in May 2021 to take on the manager’s job at Parma, where he stayed until November.
The Italian has previously taken on the role of head coach at the club’s Elite Development Squad and led them to the Premier League 2 title in the 2020-21 season.
Speaking on his return to the Champions last summer, Marsca said he “can’t wait” to assist Guardiola and the players “in the seasons to come”.
In other news, Newcastle set to now beat Man City to left-back signing.