Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has publicly stated he is ready to return to the dugout, fueling speculation that he could replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City should the Catalan leave this summer.
The 46-year-old Italian has been out of work since leaving Chelsea in January, but he has now made it clear that he feels prepared for his next challenge. When asked directly about the possibility of taking over at the Etihad, he did not rule it out.
“I feel ready to start the next chapter of my career, which is the most important thing,” Maresca told Sky Sport Italia. “Regardless of which club it is, the key is that I’m ready. The season ends in a few weeks, and then we’ll see what happens.”
Maresca has a deep connection with Manchester City. He managed their U21 side to a historic Premier League 2 title in the 2020-21 season, later served as an assistant to Guardiola, and helped the club secure a Premier League title. After a brief stint at Parma, he led Leicester City to promotion as Championship winners before taking charge at Chelsea.
Despite a strong first season at Stamford Bridge—winning the Europa Conference League and returning to the Champions League—a poor run of form and internal disagreements led to his departure in January. Chelsea have struggled since his exit, highlighting the quality of his work.
Guardiola’s contract at City runs until 2027, and while he has hinted at staying, he acknowledged that the club is preparing contingency plans. Maresca is widely viewed as the frontrunner to succeed him, with links also to Napoli and Roma.
The former midfielder’s candid remarks suggest he is keen to step back into management, with the Manchester City job—or elsewhere—firmly in his sights.
