Cameron Smith
Enzo Maresca, Man City
© IMAGO
Enzo Maresca will reportedly target a move for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez if he is appointed as the new Manchester City manager this summer.
Maresca, 46, has been out of work since leaving Chelsea by mutual consent on New Year’s Day and it has been widely reported that he is the favourite to replace his former mentor Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
The Italian spent the 2020-21 season as the head coach of Man City’s Elite Development Squad, guiding them to the Premier League 2 title in the process, before returning to the club as Guardiola's assistant in 2022 after a failed spell at Parma.
Maresca then helped Guardiola mastermind Man City’s treble win in 2022-23, which earned him the permanent job at Leicester City. He subsequently guided the Foxes back to the Premier League before becoming Chelsea manager in 2024.
It’s understood that Maresca held talks with the Man City hierarchy over a possible return to the club late last year, whilst still employed by Chelsea, and this ultimately contributed to his eventual Stamford Bridge exit in January.
Guardiola’s current contract at the Etihad Stadium isn’t due to expire until 2027, but he has been widely tipped to call it a day 12 months early and this could therefore be his final season in charge of the club.
While Man City want him to stay, an exit is on the cards and they have begun sounding out possible replacements, with Maresca and former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso widely considered to be the two most likely candidates.
Enzo Maresca is one of the favourites for the Man City job
© IMAGO - Enzo Maresca is one of the favourites for the Man City job
Enzo Maresca wants to sign Enzo Fernandez at Man City
If Maresca is appointed as the new Man City boss this summer, he will attempt to raid his former club Chelsea for the aforementioned Fernandez.
That is according to ESPN Argentina journalist Gustavo Yarroch, who admitted on X" href="https://x.com/SC_ESPN/status/2046942407539761512?s=20" target="_blank">X: “In England, there are increasingly strong rumours that after the World Cup, Pep Guardiola could leave his position.
“If that were to happen, and Enzo Maresca arrived as Manchester City manager, he also has Enzo Fernandez on his radar.”
Fernandez was an integral player for Maresca during his 18-month spell as Chelsea head coach and it’s understood that his departure in January has played a key role in the Argentina international’s discontent in west London.
The 25-year-old remains frustrated by Chelsea’s decision to part ways with Maresca and rumours indicate that he didn’t have a particularly good relationship with his successor Liam Rosenior - who was sacked on Wednesday.
Fernandez hinted that he could leave Chelsea this summer on a number of occasions during the recent March international break and although Real Madrid are considered to be his dream destination, he could feasibly be enticed by the possibility of reuniting with Maresca at Man City.
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