- Enzo Maresca will become Man City’s next manager
- Khaldoon Al Mubarak has given a timeline on his appointment
- Described the hiring process as ‘thoughtful and structured
Manchester City’s chairman has revealed when Enzo Maresca is finally set to become Pep Guardiola’s successor.
Not even two weeks have passed by since Pep Guardiola managed his final match at the Etihad Stadium, but it already feels like a long time ago.
The Catalan boss called an end to his 10-year spell in the Premier League, and it quickly became known that Maresca would be his replacement.
However, Man City fans have been left waiting, with the club yet to officially announce the Italian as their new manager.
Khalddon Al Mubarak confirms when Man City will announce Enzo Maresca
Speaking to The Athletic, Man City’s chairman has shared that the club will be appointing a new head coach ‘very soon’.
Even though he has failed to name Maresca, it is well-known by now that he is the one who will be taking his place in the Etihad home dugout next season.
Al Mubarak said: “I think what I can say at the moment is we’ve gone through a very thoughtful and structured process and the team is convinced – and I am convinced, rest assured – that we will bring in the right manager for this club.
“Just be patient with us. Very soon, we’ll announce it and you will be very comfortable that we have selected and brought in the best manager possible for this club.”
Al Mubarak did not attempt to stop Pep Guardiola from leaving
While discussing Maresca’s impending arrival, Al Mubarak also touched on Guardiola’s time at the club.
Apparently the 55-year-old threatened to quit ‘100 times’, causing the chairman to fulfil a new unofficial role as the manager’s personal psychiatrist.
In fact, Al Mubarak even brought up a story called ‘The Boy that Cries Wolf’, illustrating how often Guardiola claimed he was going to leave.
However, he knew the ex-City boss was not joking this season, so getting him to change his mind was never on the cards.
“Whenever he quits or whenever he thinks it’s time, I will always convince him to come back, until the time where I know it’s actually the real time – where it’s actually the real moment Pep decides actually, it’s time,” Al Mubarak continued.
And he “did not fight at all” when it came to Guardiola’s decision to leave City this summer, “because I knew this was the time he actually meant it.”
Who will become Enzo Maresca’s first signing?
With Guardiola exiting at the end of the season, Maresca has been afforded the time to weigh up the needs in City’s squad before the summer transfer window opens.
Man City have placed their first bid in hopes of signing Elliot Anderson, but it has been rejected by Nottingham Forest.
Nevertheless, the Citizens will keep pushing to bring in the England international, who could become Maresca’s first signing as manager.
