Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca breaks silence on Manchester City links | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca became the latest manager to be firmly linked with interest from Manchester City, as they begin compiling a list of possible Pep Guardiola successors.

Speculation around City’s managerial planning has intensified in recent days following reports outlining contingency discussions at the Etihad Stadium. While Guardiola remains under contract through the 2026/27 season, senior figures are now mapping out scenarios in advance.

Maresca’s name has naturally surfaced given his deep familiarity with Manchester City’s structure, having previously worked within the club’s Academy coaching structure and Guardiola’s backroom staff, before stepping into senior management in England at Leicester.

His tactical alignment with positional play principles and emphasis on controlled build-up has only strengthened comparisons in recent months. However, the Chelsea head coach has moved quickly to distance himself from any suggestion of an impending departure from Stamford Bridge.

Speaking as part of a news conference on Friday morning, Enzo Maresca was quizzed on links to Manchester City links as well as his future beyond the ongoing season amid some tense moments in recent media duties.

“It doesn’t affect me because I know it is 100 per cent speculation and I don’t have time for these things,” said the Italian coach. “I have a contract here [at Chelsea] until 2029. My focus is just on this club and I am proud to be here.”

Maresca continued, “One week ago in Italy, it was the same with Juventus. I don’t pay attention to it. It’s important to understand why this news was there but it is just speculation. The Newcastle game is important and very difficult.”

Further questioned on whether he will remain Chelsea’s manager beyond the ongoing season, Maresca responded, “Absolutely yes, I have a contract until 2029. I don’t pay attention [to rumours].

“We achieved yesterday the third semi-final in 18 months. We finished fourth last season to qualify for the Champions League and the goal is to improve this season.”

From Manchester City’s perspective, Enzo Maresca’s comments do little to change the broader picture of succession planning remaining exploratory rather than decisive for Hugo Viana and his colleagues at the club.

As previously reported, no final call on Pep Guardiola’s future is expected until much closer to the end of the ongoing campaign, with multiple profiles being assessed internally rather than any formal approaches being made.

For now, Manchester City’s focus remains firmly on the present, with Pep Guardiola continuing to steer the club through a demanding multi-competition schedule, while Enzo Maresca appears equally committed to building on Chelsea’s recent progress.