- Guardiola set to be replaced by Maresca
- Jamie O’Hara unimpressed with decision
- Wants City to target Champions League winner
Jamie O’Hara has slammed Manchester City’s decision to pursue Enzo Maresca, encouraging the club to turn their attention elsewhere.
Monday night delivered a big surprise, as it was announced just one day before Man City’s trip to Bournemouth that Pep Guardiola is stepping down.
Since then, news has emerged that Maresca has agreed to join City, and he is going to put pen to paper on a three-year agreement.
The ex-Chelsea boss is expected to oversee the club’s pre-season preparations, but Jamie O’Hara reckons the Citizens should pull the plug on his arrival.
Jamie O’Hara calls on Man City to appoint Luis Enrique
City’s decision to go for Maresca has been blasted by O’Hara, who believes that he is not close enough to Guardiola’s level.
According to the ex-Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, Man City should instead approach the manager who could be about to win a second successive Champions League title.
"Go and get Luis Enrique, Enzo Maresca is not a world-class manager"
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 19, 2026
Jamie O'Hara is not "convinced" Maresca is the right choice to replace Pep
Guardiola at Manchester City 🔵 pic.twitter.com/LNcpuMfUi1
“[I’m] surprised to be honest,” O’Hara told Sky Sports when asked about Maresca going to City.
“I get it, because I know he’s been there and he’s worked with Pep, but it’s a massive drop-off, there’s no two ways about it.
“To replace Pep Guardiola with Enzo Maresca, you’re bringing in a manager who’s nowhere near the level of Pep.
“And who’s to say Enzo Maresca can’t potentially get to a decent level? But he’s never going to be Pep. But who is Pep? What manager out there is Pep?”
Instead of Maresca, O’Hara would like to see Man City make every effort to bring in Luis Enrqiue, who recently celebrated another Ligue 1 title with PSG.
“For me, I would’ve gone after Luis Enrique, he continued. “If you still want to be the team in the Premier League, which Manchester City are, Arsenal are going to win it this year, but the team over the last 10 years is Manchester City.
“If you want to continue that dominance, then you’ve got to have the main man, you’ve got to have the best manager.
“The Premier League’s the best league, we have the best manager. Enzo Maresca ain’t the best manager.”
O’Hara added: “If you’re talking about a manager out there, go and get Luis Enrique, go and get a world class manager. Enzo Maresca ain’t a world class manager.”
O’Hara continues to criticise Maresca
While O’Hara has admitted that Maresca is a good manager, he is standing by his claim that there are better options for Man City to explore.
In fact, the pundit has even gone as far as to describe some of Chelsea’s football under Maresca as ‘turgid’.
🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Enzo Maresca has reportedly agreed a three-year deal to become Manchester City’s next manager.#mancity #footballupdates pic.twitter.com/P1HuOxBelc
— Read Man City (@ReadManCity) May 19, 2026
“He’s a good manager, and he did all right at Chelsea, but in the end he wanted out of there, and some of the football they played was absolutely turgid,” O’Hara said.
“So I don’t know how Manchester City fans are going to feel about it, but how do you replace Pep Guardiola? They’re in a good spot, they’ve got a really good side, the club’s run well.
“I’m not convinced Maresca will be able to continue what Pep’s done.”
Maresca has one advantage over Enrique
There is no doubt that Enrique has had more success than Maresca on paper, but he lacks experience in English football.
Whereas Maresca has experience managing in the Premier League. Additionally, he has previously held a coaching role specifically at Man City.
Of course, the Sky Blues are a massive step up, and he will face pressure at an extent which is unfamiliar to him.
Nevertheless, Maresca has lifted silverware at both the English clubs he has managed, so his record is nothing to be sneered at.
City are most likely looking for another long-term project, and Maresca is more likely to give them that than Enrique.
