Maresca ‘the only candidate’ for Manchester City job, says transfer expert | OneFootball

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Italian coach Enzo Maresca is ‘the only candidate’ for the Manchester City job, should Pep Guardiola leave at the end of the season.

Former Chelsea and Parma coach Maresca is regarded as the “only candidate” for the Manchester City job in the 2026-27 campaign, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Maresca won the Conference League and Club World Cup at Chelsea, but left Stamford Bridge on January 1, 2026, due to disagreements with the Blues’ management.

A former Juventus midfielder, Maresca is reportedly waiting for Pep Guardiola’s decision over his future at the club and Manchester City’s potential call.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 13: Enzo Maresca, Head Coach of Chelsea FC, lifts the FIFA Club World Cup trophy after his team’s victory following the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Guardiola has a year left in his contract at the Etihad Stadium, but his future beyond the summer remains uncertain as the Spaniard could decide to leave.

Maresca was Guardiola’s assistant coach in the 2022-23 campaign, when Manchester City won the Treble.

The Italian tactician also worked at the Manchester City youth academy in 2020-21.

“What matters, regardless of the club, is being ready,” Maresca said in his latest interview with Sky Sport Italia.

“There are only a few weeks left until the end of the season, then we’ll see what happens.”