Pep Guardiola is set to attend Manchester City's clash with Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, and it'll be the first time that he's been back at the Etihad since leaving in May
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 13: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Manchester City, speaks to the media during the press conference on day ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 at Manchester City Football Academy on October 13, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Enzo Maresca is getting a visit from his old mentor(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
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Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca is 'excited' by Pep Guardiola's imminent return to the Etihad, describing it as 'his house'. Guardiola, who resigned as City manager in May after 10 trophy-laden years, will be in attendance for Wednesday's match against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
It'll be the first time that the Spaniard has been at the Etihad since his emotional departure. Former assistant Maresca has taken up the mantle, guiding to City to victory in eight of his nine games in charge.
Guardiola's return coincides with City's first home game since the club were found guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial rules, with the threat of a Champions League ban from UEFA also looming. But Maresca says that everyone is looking forward to welcoming him back.
"I spoke with Pep, as I said a few days ago, after the [Manchester] United game," Maresca told a press conference. "I didn't speak with him after that. In case he is coming, it is a nice feeling, especially for him, it has been his house for 10 years. It is still his house for what he has done here, I think it is exciting for everyone."
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The Italian added: "I don't know if he is coming straight to the stadium or if he is coming to the training ground, I don't know - I don't have any idea. It is exciting for everyone, for the fans, but I don't know Pep's plans at the moment."
Maresca's pre-match press conference was dominated by questions related to City's 114 charges, which they club deny and have appealed the verdict of. City's players, coaches and supporters were criticised for celebrating Sunday's 3-0 win away to Liverpool which kept them top of the Premier League table.
"Criticised for what? We won 0-3 at Anfield, what do you want us to do?" Maresca replied when asked about the reaction to those scenes.
"And even if it was 0-1 it would be exactly the same. We, me here today, the players here today, want to win tomorrow's game. We work every day to win games. We can be focused.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Josep 'Pep' Guardiola, head coach of Manchester City, waves goodbye to the Manchester City supporters after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on May 24, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola will return to the Etihad(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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"The rest is things from outside we need to deal with. We were so, so happy inside the pitch and you cannot imagine inside the changing room."
Ruben Dias sat alongside his boss and addressed the charges, speaking openly about how City's players are dealing with the situation. "Personally, and I really feel like I speak for the whole group, we trust the club," Dias affirmed.
"We're very calm and were very focused on enjoying football. We know the team we've got, we want to make the most out of it, we want to win, and that's the only thing in our mind.
"If there's more or less noise or whatever the reason the noise is, at the end of the day it's all the same, same as before, because people don't love us winning and we love to win."