Former Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca held talks with Man City three times: Report

The Italian coach was recently relieved from his job.

Enzo Maresca, who was stripped of his responsibilities at Stamford Bridge, told Chelsea three times that he had discussed a possible chance to replace Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium with Manchester City executives. Now unemployed, the Italian strategist is awaiting alluring proposals.

Enzo Maresca has been a coach at City during two stints. After a brief period in command of Parma in his own country, he returned to familiar surroundings as Guardiola‘s assistant after working with the club’s U21 team during the 2020–21 season.

City are already preparing a backup plan

There have been rumours of a step-by-step return to City. According to The Athletic, City are preparing backup plans for the summer of 2026 in case Guardiola chooses to leave in the last year of his contract.

There is “growing anticipation of this being Guardiola’s last season at City,” according to sources, with “a firm decision likely to be made closer to the campaign finishing.” Finding a good replacement would be necessary if the former manager of Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona was to leave.

Enzo Maresca has long been aware of the unpredictability in Manchester. The Athletic claims that he had three conversations with City authorities in the first half of the 2025–26 season.

The 45-year-old’s admission that he spoke with domestic rivals will not help his cause in west London. When he publicly discussed the alleged lack of “support” he was getting at Chelsea in mid-December, he severely damaged his reputation with Blues executives.

Even after those remarks, Enzo Maresca led Chelsea to the Carabao Cup semi-finals. However, his reign came to an end at the beginning of 2026 after three straight Premier League defeats. The home team was jeered off at the Bridge during a 2-2 draw with AFC Bournemouth.

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