Maresca leading candidate to replace Guardiola at Manchester City

According to Fabrizio Romano, former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is the leading candidate to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Guardiola’s contract has a little more than a year left to run, but there have been suggestions he might leave the club at the end of this season. City will apparently allow Guardiola to decide for himself when exactly he will step down.

Apart from his experience as the manager at Chelsea and Leicester City before that, Maresca worked as Guardiola’s assistant at City for a year, as well as a year as City’s Under-23 manager. Several Italian clubs are monitoring the 46-year-old’s situation closely, but City are likely to lead the race should Guardiola leave this summer.

There has also been talk about City considering their former captain Vincent Kompany, but his successful tenure at Bayern Munich makes that improbable, to say the least.

🚨 Enzo Maresca remains the clear top candidate to become next Manchester City manager, if/when Pep leaves.

Timing only depends on Guardiola — but #MCFC see Maresca as ideal candidate.

Italian clubs also keen, nothing signed but clear plan by City.

🎥➕ https://t.co/LjY5D3fL3G pic.twitter.com/EfAuFCaVCn

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 24, 2026