Enzo Maresca has massive shoes to fill when he replaces Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The Italian previously worked as the six-time Premier League winner's assistant, but will now replace him in the hot seat.
Guardiola has announced that he will leave the Etihad after Sunday's game against Aston Villa, following a 10-year stint with the English club. He is expected to be replaced by Maresca, who left Chelsea in January 2026.
Like David Moyes after Sir Alex Ferguson and Arne Slot after Jurgen Klopp, there is always going to be a huge amount of pressure on anyone trying to follow Guardiola. He more than likely got a lot of advice from his mentor over the years, but there's one thing Guardiola has made very clear when it comes to a Man City star.
Pep Guardiola Named Untouchable Man City Ace
Pep Guardiola
Significant changes to the playing squad are inevitable, especially with Bernardo Silva and John Stones leaving along with Guardiola. However, the 55-year-old has already warned Maresca which of his new players can't be sold 'under any circumstances'.
England international Phil Foden might have been left out of his country's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, but he's always been highly rated by his manager. Writing in his book 'Pep's City: The Making of a Superteam', Guardiola said of the midfielder:
"We didn't give Foden a new contract by accident. He is the only player that can't be sold under any circumstances, the only one. Not even for 500m euros.
"Phil's going nowhere, Phil IS City. We won't be signing anyone else for that position. When David Silva leaves, we know exactly who our new magician will be."
Pep Guardiola celebrates with the Premier League trophy Related
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It will be interesting to see how the incoming manager utilises the 25-year-old. On a positive note, he'll have a full pre-season with Foden without the World Cup distraction.
Guardiola Hasn't Used Foden as Often This Season
Manchester City's Phil Foden embraces Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola after being substituted vs Man Utd
Foden has been one of Guardiola's most-used players ever since he broke into the Citizens' first-team as an exciting teenager. He's played 368 games for the Sky Blues, impressing in positions across the front line.
In his book, Guardiola claimed: "One thing is clear, Foden has a place in City's first team." However, after a promising start to the 2025-26 season, the Englishman has fallen out of favour and only started one Premier League game in two months.
The ex-Barcelona coach explained he doesn't like leaving Foden out, as he continued: "I'd be interested to see if a different manager would have given him his chance to develop or loaned him out. I don't like leaving him out of certain games but must think of the whole squad. Phil understands that."
Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 23-05-26.