Enzo Maresca breaks silence on Manchester City links as Pep Guardiola doubts continue

His tactical outlook, which heavily mirrors the positional play established at the Etihad Stadium under Guardiola, has already seen him achieve success at Chelsea, and the Italian remains one of the few elite coaches available with ‘City DNA’.

“I feel ready”: Maresca addresses the Etihad hotseat

Now, speaking to Sky Sports Italy, Enzo Maresca has broken his silence on his immediate future, amid unrelenting links to the head coach role at Manchester City with Pep Guardiola continuing to stay clear of committing to the club for the 2026/27 campaign.

“I feel ready for the next chapter. That’s the most important thing,” said Maresca.

On the subject of becoming Manchester City’s next manager, the Italian said, “The important thing, regardless of the club, is being ready. There are only a few weeks left until the end of the season, then we’ll see what happens.”

Will Pep Guardiola stay or go?

The ambiguity surrounding Pep Guardiola’s future has created a rare sense of uncertainty at the City Football Academy training centre, and while the club remains optimistic that the Catalan will see out his contract until 2027, the emergence of Maresca as a viable replacement suggests Hugo Viana is preparing for every eventuality.

Should Manchester City secure a domestic double or treble in the coming weeks, some believe Guardiola may feel his work is complete, opening the door for a transition period that could begin as early as July.

What happens next will likely depend on the outcome of the Premier League title race and the Wembley final against Chelsea, perhaps indicating to Guardiola himself as to whether the current City playing squad is ready to be inherited by a new coach and carried forward.

If Pep Guardiola decides to take a sabbatical or move into international management at the next opportunity, Enzo Maresca’s familiarity with a number of players within the City roster would make him the most natural appointment available.

For now, Manchester City fans will no doubt remain in a state of anxious anticipation, hoping for one more year or Pep Guardiola, while perhaps keeping a close eye on the man who once helped put together the greatest season in the Etihad Stadium club’s history.