Bald swap – Enzo Maresca instead of Pep Guardiola?
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 18.12.25. | 18:47
Former assistant to the Spanish coach, now Chelsea’s head strategist, is among the leading candidates for the Manchester club’s managerial post
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is emerging as a serious name in Manchester City’s internal discussions over life after Pep Guardiola. The Italian coach is no stranger to the Etihad, having already worked there twice, and could yet return for a third stint when the time comes for the club’s iconic Catalan manager to step away.
According to The Athletic, City are already mapping out possible scenarios ahead of 2026. While Guardiola remains tied to the club until 2027, there is a genuine possibility that he could choose to depart once the current season concludes.
🚨🇮🇹 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 | Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is high among the candidates Manchester City are considering in case Pep Guardiola exits the club next summer, reports @David_Ornstein. 🔵⚡️
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) December 18, 2025
Man City are advancing contingency work for possible manager change. pic.twitter.com/Qnc0gHFFmu
Insiders suggest there is “a growing anticipation of this being Guardiola’s last season at City”, with “a firm decision likely be made closer to the campaign finishing”. As a result, the Premier League champions are keen to avoid being caught unprepared and want a clear succession plan in place.
Maresca is understood to still have “admirers in the hierarchy” at City and “is expected to figure prominently if a vacancy arises”. He is not the sole option being assessed, but his profile is firmly on the club’s recruitment shortlist. City are aware that Guardiola often waits “relatively late before determining his future”, which is why multiple alternatives are being explored. It is also noted that the ongoing Financial Fair Play investigation, involving more than 115 charges, is said to have “no bearing on Guardiola’s situation”.
Enzo Maresca's bizarre outburst on Saturday, where he said the previous 48 hours had been his worst as Chelsea's head coach, was cryptic and unnecessary.
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) December 15, 2025
All it does is pile scrutiny on both him and the club at such a crucial juncture.
What on earth was the point?
📝… pic.twitter.com/YJ2Un8rRXh
Guardiola himself has previously spoken openly about the possibility of stepping away from football once his time at City comes to an end. Having been in England since 2016, he said: “After my contract with City, I’m going to stop. I am sure. I don’t know if I’m going to retire, but I’m going to take a break.”
Another familiar figure linked with the role is Vincent Kompany, the former City captain and Premier League title winner. The ex-Belgium international is currently plying his trade in Germany, working alongside Harry Kane at Bayern Munich, and remains a name closely associated with any future managerial transition at the Etihad.
