Enzo Maresca quickly put an end to speculation linking him with a return to Manchester City, insisting his focus remains firmly on Chelsea despite mounting furor over Pep Guardiola’s long-term future at the Etihad.
The Italian has been mentioned as a potential successor if Guardiola decides to step down, but Maresca has made it clear that Stamford Bridge, not Manchester, is his focus.
Enzo Maresca rejects ties with Manchester City
Ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Newcastle, Maresca left little room for ambiguity when asked about his future.
“Absolutely, yes,” he said when asked if he would play for Chelsea next season. “I have a contract until 2029 and this is 100 percent speculation. It does not affect me.”
The Italian, who previously worked under Guardiola at Manchester City, acknowledged the noise surrounding his name but insisted it was not something he entertained.
“Right now there is no time for this kind of thing,” Maresca added. “I’m very proud to be here. I’m focusing on the match against Newcastle. It’s going to be a difficult match.”
His comments come after reports suggested Man City were quietly preparing for life after Guardiola – a process that has accelerated as the club prepares for a possible transition at the top.
Why Maresca is linked with Pep Guardiola’s job
Maresca’s name has cropped up in conversations about Guardiola’s eventual successor, largely due to his previous stint at the club under the Spaniard and his meteoric rise as head coach.
After coaching City’s elite development team and serving as Guardiola’s assistant, Maresca guided Leicester back to the Premier League before guiding Chelsea to both the Conference League and Club World Cup in his first season in West London.
With Guardiola previously admitting he is considering leaving City earlier in his contract, and with seniors already leaving the club, it has sparked a wider debate over who could follow him.
Maresca, however, wanted to distance herself from that story.
“It is important to understand why this news happened,” he said. “But it’s not my job. I don’t pay attention to it because I know it’s not true.”
Maresca responds to the comments of the Chelsea supporters
The City left gained extra traction following Maresca’s comments after Chelsea’s win over Everton, when he referred to a perceived lack of support during a difficult winless run. That led to suggestions of tension behind the scenes.
This week he confirmed he had spoken to Chelsea’s hierarchy but insisted these comments were not a source of tension.
“We’re in the same building. So we talk about different things,” he said. “But about Everton’s press conference? No, nothing.”
Maresca did admit he had discussed his frustrations internally with the team, but called it part of maintaining standards rather than a sign of dissatisfaction.
“The players are just focused on Newcastle,” he said. “They are very difficult for any team to play against. But we will do our best and try to win the match.”
Maresca Chelsea’s future remains clear despite speculation
For now, Maresca’s position is clear. He has a long contract, recent trophies and a clear focus on helping Chelsea progress in the league.
While his name may continue to pop up as Manchester City quietly plans for a post-Guardiola future, there is no indication he considers himself available – at least publicly.
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