Pep Guardiola has reaffirmed his commitment to Manchester City amidst new speculations about Enzo Maresca’s future. Last month, the longtime City manager expressed his intention to fulfill his contract, which is set to run until the summer of 2027.
This statement came after rumors emerged that City had pinpointed then Chelsea boss Maresca, a former assistant to Guardiola, as a possible successor in case Guardiola opted to leave this summer.
Maresca has since parted ways with Chelsea, leaving Stamford Bridge under dramatic circumstances on New Year’s Day. Reports suggest he has had conversations with City representatives over the last two months, although City maintains that there is no open position available.
Marking his 10th year at the club, Guardiola commented: “From my perspective, Chelsea has lost an incredible manager and an amazing person. But ultimately, it’s a decision made by Chelsea’s management, and I can’t comment further.”
“In football, surprises? Not really. This just reinforces how fortunate I am to be at this extraordinary club.” He further stated, “I have a contract— I’ve said this countless times. Although I will leave one day, I’m happy here and eager to compete with my team.”
Guardiola praised the support from City’s hierarchy during challenging times, saying, “They respected me, demonstrated last season when we struggled for results. I still have one year left on my contract, and I want to be here. We’ll see how things unfold.”
There are mixed reports regarding whether Maresca’s agent, who recently switched from Wasserman to Mendes’ Gestifute, has actively pursued discussions with City or if these talks hint at serious succession plans. Regardless, Chelsea has viewed any flirtations with City as disrespectful, despite Maresca’s openness to a new contract in London if offered.
Chelsea will actually be City’s next opponents, visiting the Etihad on Sunday. Guardiola admitted uncertainty about what to expect in the match.
He remarked, “We don’t have much to discuss if we don’t know what the opponent will be like since we’re unsure which manager will guide them. I’m not worried about that; we’ll focus on our own game, which will be crucial for the upcoming challenges against Chelsea and Brighton.”
As City eyes a return to winning form after a 0-0 draw against Sunderland on New Year’s Day, they find themselves four points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal at the season’s halfway mark.
A notable highlight from the previous match was the second-half return of influential midfielder Rodri, who had been sidelined for an extended period due to injury. Guardiola praised Rodri’s impact: “He changed the game. In just 45 minutes, he showcased why he’s the best in his position. We truly missed him during his absence. I hope he stays fit because he elevates our team.”
Reporting by PA and ESPN’s Mark Ogden contributed to this article.