Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is high up the list of candidates to replace Man City boss Pep Guardiola at the end of the season.
Respected journalist David Ornstein cites sources that claim Guardiola is increasingly likely to leave the Etihad next summer, ending his association with the club after a decade in the dugout.
Asked whether Maresca would be a suitable replacement, some City supporters on X are in denial about Guardiola’s potential exit, while others feel there are better managers than the Italian out there:
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Sorry but no, I want Kompany
— NordicHaaland (@NordicHaaland) December 18, 2025
Pep not going anywhere
— mعd (@ahmeddarko) December 18, 2025
No no no no no no no
— Kingsley Chi (@KingsleyCh61255) December 18, 2025
Maybe VK is better option
— Nagi (@NagiX07) December 18, 2025
Stop that. Never!!!
— 𝚅𝚒𝚎𝚠𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚎 6𝚒⌘ (@_The_6ix) December 18, 2025
Pep should extend for 2/3 more years
— Free (@XstanGn) December 18, 2025
Get Kompany instead
— SnqoeMasinga ✌️ (@SnqoeMasinga) December 18, 2025
Maresca’s City connections do make him a legitimate contender
The fact that the 45-year-old has worked for the Manchester club on two previous occasions would suggest that his coaching skills are highly regarded by those in charge.
Maresca has managed the Development Squad, as well as being one of Guardiola’s assistants. As a head coach, his credentials are pretty impressive as well. He won the Championship with Leicester in his first season in charge, whilst also winning the Conference League and the Club World Cup with Chelsea.
Who else would be considered to replace Guardiola?
As plenty of fans have mentioned, Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany should be one of the standout candidates, considering the job he has done at the Bundesliga giants, in addition to being a City legend.
Como boss Cesc Fabregas, who was managed by Guardiola at Barcelona, is also thought to be another possible option, although his managerial track record is not quite as impressive as Maresca’s or Kompany’s.
Read more about the Man City First Team Squad for 2025/26 here