Enzo Maresca remains on Man City’s shortlist for the future, highly rated but with nothing agreed at this stage. Reliable reporter Fabrizio Romano said on January 1, 2026, that the club still sees the Italian as a strong option if Pep Guardiola decides to leave. No talks have moved forward yet. Guardiola stays focused on the current season.
Chelsea parted ways with Maresca earlier that day. The club announced it after a poor run of results. They won just one of their last seven Premier League games. That left them fifth, 15 points behind leaders Arsenal. Reports say tensions built up over recent weeks.
Maresca had informed the board he spoke with people linked to Manchester City about the job if it opens. His contract required him to tell them.
Maresca took over at Chelsea in June 2024. He came from Leicester after winning promotion. In his first full season, he guided Chelsea to fourth place. They qualified for the Champions League again. The team also won the Conference League and Club World Cup. Things started well this season too. Chelsea sat near the top for parts of it.
December brought problems. Losses and draws piled up. After a home draw with Bournemouth on December 30, fans booed. Maresca skipped the press conference. His assistant said he felt unwell. Sources later said he thought about his position.
Links to Manchester City started in mid-December. David Ornstein reported Maresca was high on City’s list for a possible Guardiola replacement. Guardiola signed a new deal in late 2024 that runs to 2027. But City planned ahead anyway. Their director of football, Hugo Viana, looked at options.
Maresca worked under Guardiola before. He coached City’s youth team. Then he assisted in the 2022-23 season when they won the treble. People at City still rate him highly. He knows the club’s style well.
Guardiola has spoken about his future recently. He said he wants to stay. No talks about leaving have happened. He joked that one day, when older, he will quit. For now, he focuses on the team.
Maresca dismissed the links before his exit. He called them speculation. He said he would stay at Chelsea next season. His contract there runs to 2029 with an option for more.
Chelsea now look for a new manager. Names like Liam Rosenior from Strasbourg have come up. That club links to Chelsea’s owners. A replacement could come soon. Chelsea play at Manchester City on Sunday. An assistant might take charge for that game.
This situation shows how quickly things change in football. Maresca brought trophies and European football back to Chelsea. A bad month and off-field issues ended it. Fans have mixed views. Some blame the owners for quick decisions. Others point to results.
Manchester City keep planning quietly. Guardiola’s contract gives stability. But clubs always prepare. Maresca stays an option because of his past there and recent success.
No one knows Guardiola’s long-term plans. He has managed City since 2016. Ten years would come in summer 2026. He might stay longer or take a break.
For Maresca, the next step is unclear. He could rest or take another job soon. Interest from big clubs shows his reputation. Chelsea aim to get back on track. They compete in four competitions still. A new manager faces pressure right away.
Stories like this happen often in the Premier League. Managers come and go fast at top clubs. Results decide a lot. As January starts, both clubs deal with uncertainty. The city waits on Guardiola. Chelsea search for leadership. Fans watch for the next moves.
