Enzo Maresca is currently without a job after leaving Chelsea at the start of the month.
Following the sacking of Xabi Alonso, the Real Madrid hot seat was briefly available before the Spanish giants eventually turned to their former defender Alvaro Arbeloa, who also used to play for Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Liverpool.
There had been some talk about Maresca potentially joining Manchester United, but they want to go down the caretaker route before assessing their options in the summer.
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Enzo Maresca managing Chelsea against Man United
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While Maresca has been overlooked by Real Madrid and United for the time being, his stock in the game is still very high.
Enzo Maresca managing Chelsea against Man United
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca respected at Real Madrid
Real Madrid themselves still seem to be huge fans of Maresca’s work despite not appointing him to succeed Alonso.
Journalist Santi Aouna has revealed on X that the 45-year-old is highly appreciated by those inside the La Liga club.
That is not a complete surprise after what Maresca was able to accomplish at Chelsea last season.
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Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato discussing Liam Rosenior's style of play
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He guided the Blues to the Club World Cup trophy, which Real Madrid also competed for, and also led them back into the Champions League.
Under Maresca, Chelsea won the Conference League, too, so he had a very successful debut season in west London.
It is early days, but Maresca’s successor at Stamford Bridge, Liam Rosenior, is already catching the eye.
Enzo Maresca speaks to the media during Chelsea Training Session and Press Conference
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Enzo Maresca could still end up at Real Madrid despite Alvaro Arbeloa appointment
Although Real Madrid have handed Arbeloa the manager gig, there is no guarantee that he will still be in the Santiago Bernabeu dugout at the end of the season.
That is good news for Maresca if he is still looking for a job by then. According to Aouna, who has covered Real Madrid’s manager situation in more detail on Foot Mercato, Maresca and Jurgen Klopp are still being considered.
Klopp is said to be the dream for Real Madrid, but it looks like the 15-time Champions League winners could turn to Maresca if they part ways with Arbeloa and cannot land the German as his successor.
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