Asked if he will still be Chelsea boss in 2026-27, Maresca said: "Absolutely, yes. I have a contract until 2029. It's speculation, 100 percent. I don't have anything to add. I don't pay attention."
He went on to say of still having plenty left to achieve at Chelsea, having already guided them to Conference League glory and Champions League qualification: "Absolutely, yes. We achieved the third semi-final in 18 months the other day [in the Carabao Cup]. Last year was good in terms of trophies and finishing fourth in the Premier League. The target is to try and improve on what we did last season."
Guardiola is impressed by what Maresca has achieved with his Blues, which suggests that he would be happy to pass the reins at City over to a familiar face. The ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager has said of a current domestic rival: "One of the best managers in the world, Enzo Maresca, I know him quite well but, the job he has done at Chelsea does not get enough credit. Winning the Club World Cup, Conference League, qualification for the Champions League in a league that is so tough with a young team. It is exceptional."