Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola was asked ahead of a meeting between the two clubs about reports that he is developing Enzo Maresca as his successor after the latter was sacked by Chelsea.
Manager Josep Guardiola told Chelsea they had lost a “great manager” in Enzo Maresca. The former Manchester City assistant and academy coach’s sudden departure from Stamford Bridge came just before the match against City, leaving a void in the away dugout for Sunday’s game against the Etihad.
There were a number of reasons behind Maresca’s sudden departure from Stamford Bridge, including his recent poor form, going against the advice of medical staff and tensions over his transfer comments. However, one of the big factors was his link to becoming Guardiola’s successor at City.
The Guardian reported that Maresca, who has spent two spells at City and also worked under the Catalan manager, told Chelsea he had discussed the possibility. Guardiola usually avoids commenting on managerial departures, but he made an exception on Friday.
With City reportedly in talks with Maresca before leaving Chelsea, Guardiola dismissed further questions about his future and expressed gratitude for the support he received from his boss during a difficult period last season.
read more: Transfer News LIVE: Bournemouth’s Semenyo statement, Manchester United considering swap, next Chelsea managerread more: The inside story of how Enzo Maresca’s reign at Chelsea unraveled – 5 reasons behind his departure
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Guardiola said: “If we don’t know which manager is going to be there, we don’t talk much and we don’t know what’s going to happen. We’re worried about ourselves and our staff will help us in the two tough games against Chelsea and Brighton.” “Chelsea are always dangerous and the Premier League is dangerous every game.
“All I can say is that, from my point of view, Chelsea has lost a great manager and a great person. It’s a decision made by Chelsea hierarchy so there’s nothing for me to say. How lucky I am at the club I’m at. My club is extraordinary.”
“I have a contract. I’ve said it a thousand times, but I know you’re tired of me. I’ve been here for 10 years and I promise I’ll quit one day, but I have a contract and I’m happy. I want to compete with the team. The hierarchy respects me. They supported me last season, as they proved when they didn’t win a game in three months.”
It’s no wonder that Guardiola rates Maresca highly. The Italian has been at City for two years, with Guardiola describing him as “one of the best players in the world” in early December, fueling speculation that he could be groomed as his successor.
Asked about that possibility last month, Maresca said: “It doesn’t affect me at all because I know it’s 100 percent speculation. And at the moment I don’t have time to spend on things like that. First of all. Because I’m under contract here until probably 2029. And my focus, as I’ve said many times, is just about this club and I’m very proud to be here. But again, that’s speculation.”
“A week ago I was in Italy, the same place I was with Juventus, so I don’t care because I know it’s not true. It’s important to understand why this news broke, but it’s just speculation.”
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