Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is being considered by Man City as Pep Guardiola's potential heir next year, with the Blues making contingency plans.
Enzo Maresca tipped to replace Pep Guardiola at Man City
BlueCo are now bracing themselves for potential interest from City in Maresca, with the Italian emerging as a prime candidate to succeed Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
The 44-year-old's impressive stint at Stamford Bridge has not gone unnoticed by his former employers, where he served as Guardiola's assistant during City's historic treble-winning campaign in 22/23.
Media sources suggest the Premier League title contenders view Maresca as ideally positioned to maintain their footballing identity when Guardiola eventually departs.
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City's interest carries particular weight given Guardiola's contract expires in 2026, meaning that an approach could materialise very soon.
Chelsea would demand enormous compensation for Maresca's services, though City's financial muscle makes any negotiation feasible if they prioritise his appointment.
Maresca guided the west Londoners to two major trophies last season — the Conference League and Club World Cup — whilst steering Chelsea to Champions League qualification on the final day of 2024/2025.
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Some reports suggest that Maresca doesn't see eye-to-eye with some members of the Chelsea hierarchy and there's been tension behind-the-scenes at times, but the tactician himself is adamant that his head isn't being turned.
"Absolutely, yes," Maresca said this morning, when asked if he'll be at Chelsea next season.
"Again, I have a contract until 2029, and this is speculation 100%. So I don't have nothing to add, because again, I don't pay attention. And if we continue to talk about that, that means that I'm paying attention to that.
"But I'm not focused on that. I'm just focused on the Newcastle game. I'm focused on my job. Again, I signed a contract last year until 2029. I'm happy with that, and no more than that."
While Maresca publicly denies any interest in a return to Eastlands, things can change very quickly in football, and we've seen high-profile figures go back on their word before.
Taking this into account, as any elite club does, Chelsea have contingency plans in mind for when/if Maresca departs Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea identify Zinedine Zidane as 'dream' Enzo Maresca replacement
According to CaughtOffside, alongside the usual suspects like Strasbourg's Liam Rosenior and Frank Lampard, former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is seen as a top target.
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They report that Zidane is their 'perennial dream' candidate for the hot seat, and he 'tops Chelsea's wishlist' almost every time a managerial conversation is held.
The 53-year-old footballing icon is best known for his very productive stint at the Bernabeu, where he led Real to 11 major trophies — including three consecutive Champions League titles, two La Ligas, two UEFA Super Cups and two Copa del Reys.
Zidane has been a managerial free agent since leaving Real in 2021, despite interest from a host of top sides since then, including links to Man United.
His style of play would excite Chelsea supporters too, according to former Los Blancos defender Raphael Varane.
"He is a coach who loves the sport, and who likes to play attacking football, he likes to play quick possession football," Varane said in an interview with UEFA in 2016.
"He has added in more physical work in the training sessions, which is allowing us to press higher up the field.
"He is close to his players. He likes to chat with us and show us videos so we can improve the finer details. The fact that he was a player and that he is a young coach means that we have a close relationship. When I was a child I saw him play, and he has got an excellent reputation throughout the world, and especially in France."
Provided Zidane doesn't take up another job in the meantime, he could be a fine candidate to succeed Maresca in the event he does leave.
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