Real Madrid among trio of clubs to have pursued Manchester City’s next manager | OneFootball

Manchester City have seemingly beaten strong competition in pursuit of their first-choice candidate to replace Pep Guardiola this summer.

The blueprint for life after Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium shifts from theory into concrete reality, and following Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth that crowned Arsenal as Premier League champions, the City hierarchy now focus in on a new era.

With Guardiola still claiming as recently as this week that he is due to speak with Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak over his future, despite claims of an imminent exit, transitioning towards the club’s successor in the dugout has become the primary priority for Hugo Viana.

Now, suggestions that multiple European clubs actively sought City’s incoming coach underscores his reputation across football, having previously guided the Etihad’s Elite Development Squad before aiding with key elements of the historic 2023 Treble campaign alongside Pep Guardiola.

Man City beat away strong competition for Maresca

According to talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs, Enzo Maresca was contacted by Tottenham in the aftermath of Igor Tudor’s departure from the club earlier this year, and prior to the North London side convincing Roberto De Zerbi to join.

Elsewhere, La Liga giants Real Madrid are also claimed to have made an approach in the immediate aftermath of Xabi Alonso’s departure, while Serie A’s Milan called Maresca’s agent Jorge Mendes this year.

While all three mentioned clubs are said to have contacted Mendes as part of their respective due diligence in managerial planning, there is no suggestion any such jobs were formally offered to the Italian.

A new era awaits at Manchester City

While the aforementioned European heavyweights ultimately adjusted their focus toward alternate candidates, their exploratory calls validate why perhaps Manchester City moved with such singular, aggressive focus to tie down their former assistant.

By establishing a swift verbal agreement and formalising plans around Maresca including transfer window aims and pre-season schedules, City have shown their confidence at moving on away from Guardiola with a level of comfort.

Reports elsewhere have already claimed that Enzo Maresca is aiming to visit Manchester next week to conduct direct player meetings and coordinate initial summer recruitment lists directly with Hugo Viana.

Before any such plans take place however, the club must navigate a Premier League finale against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium, in what could be an emotional afternoon should it prove to be Pep Guardiola’s final dugout appearance.