Enzo Maresca credits Pep Guardiola for ‘changing football’ in Spain, Germany, and England | OneFootball

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has issued enormous praise on his former colleague and current Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola for ‘changing football’ across Europe.

The Italian coach spent a season working under Guardiola at Manchester City in which he won a historic Treble as part of the coaching structure before embarking on his own managerial path, and the influence remains evident in his tactical principles and possessional approach.

Now at the helm of Chelsea after a successful period with Leicester City, Enzo Maresca continues to credit his former colleague in Pep Guardiola as the most transformative figure in modern football.

Guardiola’s innovations have not only defined eras at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, but have forced entire leagues to respond. From positional play to build-up patterns and the repurposing of traditional roles, his methods continue to filter through club academies, coaching courses, and elite-level dressing rooms.

Maresca’s public appreciation also hints at a personal connection that has never faded. While both men now compete at the highest level, the respect between them remains as strong as it was during their shared time in Manchester.

Speaking to reporters during a press conference this week, Enzo Maresca credited Pep Guardiola for inspiring his entire managerial career, having worked closely with the Catalan during their time together at the Etihad Stadium.

“I decided to be a manager because of Pep’s team, Barcelona years ago,” Maresca admitted.

“Now, if clubs or teams decide [to play] with different styles, I’ve said many times that any club, any team can decide in the way they want to play.

“I chose mine years ago, and this will be the way I like to watch my team playing football, and also in the future.”

Further explaining the impact of Guardiola on European football, Maresca said, “I don’t think no one can be compared – this is my personal opinion – to that Barcelona, and to Pep. Because I think they changed football in Spain, where every club was trying to play in that way.

“And then Pep moved to Germany and everyone was trying to play in that way in Germany. German international team, they won something in that years.

“I think Pep came in England and many clubs tried to do something similar, and also England in terms of international team. So I don’t think anyone can be compared to Pep, because I think in the last 20, 25 years he changed football.”

Enzo Maresca’s admiration for Pep Guardiola may shape the future stylistic battle on the pitch between the two coaches, with both men favouring structured possession, aggressive pressing, and controlled tempo.

From a Manchester City perspective, Guardiola is unlikely to be distracted by the praise, but he will certainly recognise the evolution of a former staff member now operating at a top Premier League club.

Encounters between the two managers could become a fascinating subplot over the coming seasons, especially if Enzo Maresca continues to build a Chelsea side in his mentor’s mould.