**Details surrounding Manchester City’s early plans concerning a replacement for Pep Guardiola were in-part tied to ‘chatter’ starting at Old Trafford.**
The ongoing discussion around Guardiola’s long-term future has seen City’s internal succession planning come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks, with several high-profile coaching names linked to the Etihad Stadium.
While City continue to insist there is no imminent vacancy, the club’s contingency preparations have become a recurring theme across domestic and European media.
As previously reported, City’s hierarchy have been quietly compiling profiles of potential successors should Guardiola decide not to see out his contract until 2027. That process has placed an emphasis on tactical continuity, and familiarity with Guardiola’s methods.
One of the names referenced within that context has been Enzo Maresca, whose previous work under Guardiola and philosophical alignment have made him a natural point of speculation. That interest, however, has also proven to be destabilising elsewhere.
According to new information from [The Sun](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/37794644/man-utd-toby-collyer-zirkzee-amorim/), Manchester United had a small role in the dramatic turn of events at Chelsea that ultimately ended in Enzo Maresca’s New Year’s Day exit from his position as head coach.
The report claims that the eventually damaging reports detailing Manchester City’s interest in the Italian head coach to potentially succeed Pep Guardiola were partially informed by some Old Trafford ‘chatter’.
However, it remains unclear whether Manchester United ever intended to destabilise Chelsea.
The claims add another layer to an already complex situation surrounding Maresca’s departure, which followed a period of internal tension despite strong on-pitch results earlier in the season.
As outlined in previous reporting, Manchester City’s admiration for the Italian has long pre-dated recent events, with senior figures at the Etihad Stadium viewing him as a stylistic fit rather than an active target.
Crucially, City remain publicly aligned behind Guardiola, who continues to be heavily involved in planning and recruitment. There has been no indication that the club are preparing for an immediate managerial change, with all succession work described internally as precautionary.
Looking ahead, Manchester City are expected to continue monitoring several candidates without engaging in formal approaches until Pep Guardiola’s own intentions become clearer.