Enzo Maresca might have spent time working alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, but he actually prefers one of the previous men who held his position.
The Chelsea boss was the manager of Man City’s Elite Development Squad between 2020 and 2021, and then worked as one of Guardiola’s assistant managers between 2022 and 2023.
Maresca had hands-on experience learning under Guardiola and what he was like as a coach, which no doubt influenced his work at Leicester City and Chelsea.
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However, there is one former Man City boss before Guardiola who Maresca actually prefers, regardless of the success that Guardiola has brought to the club.
Pep Guardiola reacts during Huddersfield Town vs Manchester City
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Enzo Maresca prefers Manuel Pellegrini to Pep Guardiola
Maresca was asked by La Gazzetta dello Sport who his favourite coach is, who he admires, and the Chelsea manager was quick to say Manuel Pellegrini.
Pellegrini was in charge of Man City from 2013 to 2016 and was eventually replaced by Guardiola at the end of his contract.
Despite that, Pellegrini’s experience was clear during his tenure at the club, as he ended his time at Man City with the fifth-highest win percentage of any manager in Premier League history.
During his tenure, he guided the club to one Premier League title and two League Cups. While Guardiola enjoyed a more successful spell in terms of silverware, Pellegrini certainly made his mark on the team.
Pep Guardiola enjoyed his time working with Enzo Maresca
Maresca might have chosen Pellegrini over Guardiola, but the current Man City boss did play a pivotal role in his development as a coach.
Guardiola spoke about the Chelsea boss at the start of this year during his press conference and was complimentary about Maresca and what it was like to have him in his coaching set-up.
“I’m very pleased. I was a lucky man to work with him in the last years, and everything that happens with his family and him being fine, then I’m fine. I’m happy for him,” Guardiola said.
There remains plenty of mutual respect between them, which will undoubtedly last forever, regardless of Maresca’s love for Pellegrini.