- Manchester City have reportedly held fresh talks
- Pep Guardiola’s long-term future remains uncertain
- A familiar name has now emerged in the discussion
Manchester City have reportedly held fresh talks with Pep Guardiola’s former assistant amid uncertainty surrounding the gaffer’s long-term future.
Pep Guardiola’s future remains the biggest talking point at the Etihad. The Catalan manager remains under contract till the summer of 2027, but speculations haven’t stopped regarding his immediate future.
Several reports suggest that the manager could leave the club earlier than expected, with the Italian national team being the latest concern for Man City.
After Leonardo Bonucci’s latest comments regarding the Catalan manager, reports from Italy have surfaced claiming that Guardiola is one of the candidates for the national team job.
As a result, the Sky Blues aren’t sitting idle; instead, they are already holding talks with possible Guardiola replacements.
Man City have held talks with Enzo Maresca
According to talkSPORT, the City management have held talks with Guardiola’s former assistant coach Enzo Maresca.
The Italian manager is without a club at the moment and signing him shouldn’t pose any problems for Man City. Maresca’s familiarity with the club makes him the most preferred candidate for the job.
He first joined the club as their Elite Development Squad manager in 2020. The Italian won the Premier League 2 title with the Citizens that year.
He spent only one season in the youth ranks before making an exit. However, Maresca returned in 2022, spending a season under Guardiola as his assistant.
Maresca’s success away from City
The 46-year-old joined Leicester City in 2023, helping the Foxes win the EFL Championship. The Italian had signed a three-year deal but left after the 2023/24 season.
His last job was as Chelsea’s manager, where he served for more than one full season, winning the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Tensions increased between Maresca and the BlueCo management following a bad run in late 2025. Despite overseeing one of the most stable managerial periods under the BlueCo era, the Italian left after internal disagreements.
Why Maresca could offer City tactical continuity
Pep Guardiola has been one of the biggest influences on Maresca following his stints at Man City. However, the Italian isn’t a Guardiola clone and has his own take on the game.
While the Catalan manager allows for some freedom despite structural obsession, Maresca has taken a more rigid route.
This allows for Guardiola’s style to have continuity at the Etihad, but it might not be great news for the creative players at the club.
The most obvious name that comes to mind is Rayan Cherki. There were doubts regarding his fit under Guardiola himself.
Likewise, if Maresca doesn’t allow enough freedom in the final third like Guardiola, much of Cherki’s unpredictability can wither away.
