Enzo Maresca is the favourite to take over at Manchester City to replace Pep Guardiola, although his contractual obligations to Chelsea could hold him back from that job.
Maresca hasn’t returned to management since he left his role at Chelsea on New Year’s Day, when he was replaced by Liam Rosenior.
Just three months later, the Englishman has met his fate at Stamford Bridge too, with Chelsea having to search again for a permanent manager.
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Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea contract could stop him taking over at Manchester City
Chelsea feel under pressure to get the next appointment right after sacking two managers in the same season, especially when the future looked so bright under the Italian just months ago.
There were still more than three years left on Maresca’s contract at Chelsea when he parted company with the club, and according to The Guardian, this could affect his ability to jump at the City job this summer.
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Maresca received only a minimal pay off after choosing to walk away from the rest of his deal, and will be hoping that this good will could see him allowed to take another job before those three years are up.
Currently, there is no clarification whether Guardiola will leave at the end of the season. It could come down to whether they win the Premier League.
The Spaniard recently commented on Chelsea’s ongoing manager woes, admitting he felt sorry for Rosenior as the latest decision was made.
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Maresca has no ambition to return to Chelsea
When the announcement was made that Chelsea were looking for a new manager, supporters were quick to point at their former boss as a candidate to take the role.
However, Maresca has no ambition to replace Rosenior, after he made his feelings known about the ownership before he departed.
There will be many who are cautious that they cannot reach the levels they did before when Maresca was in charge. Chelsea look a far cry from the side who won the Club World Cup last summer.
Whoever replaces Rosenior could play a key part in whether the big names remain at Stamford Bridge. The club are reportedly confident that the right appointment could convince Enzo Fernandez to stay.
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