Pep Guardiola’s future at Manchester City has been thrown into question in the last week
It was reported by David Ornstein in the run-up to Christmas that the Mancunian club have a list of candidates to replace the Spaniard if he departs in the summer.
One of the names who cropped up was Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca. The Italian has previously worked at City, coaching the academy and in the first team with Guardiola. At this stage, though, things remain up in the air.
Maresca Pep
It would be a bold move from City, and there is certainly logic behind it, with Maresca impressing at Chelsea.
Why City should look at Maresca
Over the last decade or so, Guardiola has firmly brought the expectation of winning to the Etihad Stadium. He has won 18 major trophies in charge of the club, including the famous treble in the 2022/23 season.
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Well, Maresca is only a little way into his coaching career, but he, too, has experience of winning titles. His first role at Leicester City in 2023/24 saw him guide the Foxes to Championship glory.
Last season at Chelsea, he lifted the Conference League and led them to Club World Cup victory in the summer.
City have become used to having a head coach tactically on the highest pedestal. Maresca, Jamie Carragher suggests, is in that top bracket. Earlier this season, he said the Italian is on the same level as Guardiola, Mikel Arteta and Arne Slot, citing how well he "can coach the rotations and the movements" as a reason for that.
It certainly feels like his time at Chelsea has gone a long way to convincing the City hierarchy he could be the man to replace Guardiola. His record at Stamford Bridge of 55 wins in 90 games, plus the trophies and tactical nous, is impressive.
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However, there might be a better option on the list who City are also said to be looking at.
Man City's Enzo Maresca alternative
A real alternative to Maresca appears to be "one of Man City's greatest players" in the words of Jamie Carragher, Vincent Kompany.
The Belgian is thriving at the Allianz Arena with Bayern Munich, and, according to a report from TEAMtalk, is someone ‘being considered’ for the role if Guardiola leaves.
vincent-kompany-bayern-munich-bundesliga
Kompany, who played for City 360 times and won four Premier League titles, has since shone as a manager. It was something of a gamble for Bayern to hire him after his time at Burnley, but it has paid off.
The ex-City defender has previously been described as a “perfect” manager, winning 60 matches out of 81 during his time at the Bundesliga giants, including a win against Chelsea and PSG this season. He’s only lost ten times during his time at the club.
Kompany's record as Bayern manager
Stat
Games
Wins
Draws
Losses
Goals for
Goals against
Average Bundesliga points per game
Stats from Transfermarkt
Of all the players who have thrived under Kompany so far, two of the most impressive have been attacking midfielders Lennert Karl and Jamal Musiala. Although he’s only 17, Karl has five goals and two assists in 22 games under the Belgian, and Musiala has 30 goal invovments in 44 games.
The fact that Kompany’s two main number 10s in Germany have thrived under his tutelage might be music to the ears of a certain Rayan Cherki. The French attacker joined City in the summer for just £30m, and has quickly become one of the Premier League’s star forwards.
Cherki
He has already racked up four goals and seven assists in just 18 games across all competitions. He is currently second only to Bruno Fernandes when it comes to assists in the Premier League, and has become famed for his slick skills in tight spaces, much like the aforementioned Karl and Musiala.
That output is already sensational, and it seems like Kompany could be a dream appointment for a player of Cherki’s quality. He is someone who has a track record of platforming number 10s who excel in tight spaces, with Musiala the prime example.
City’s number 10 might be next in line when it comes to number 10s thriving under the Belgian manager. Under Guardiola, he has been sensational, though he might even hit new heights under the City legend.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates after the match-1 Related
[David Ornstein: Man City now targeting "one of the best managers in the world" to succeed Pep](https://www.footballfancast.com/man-city-pep-guardiola-replacement-news-cheslea-enzo-maresca/ "David Ornstein: Man City now targeting "one of the best managers in the world" to succeed Pep")
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