🔗 Share this article Blues Manager Maresca Rejects Manchester City Links as '100%' Gossip Enzo Maresca previously worked as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has labelled recent talk linking him with a return to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay. The 45-year-old, who once served as Pep Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad, addressed the persistent rumours about his next move. Maresca, appointed Chelsea manager in June 2024, is under contract running until 2029, with a possible extra year option. "It doesn't bother me at all because I know that is 100% speculation," Maresca said. "And at this moment, there is little room for such distractions." He further elaborated, Primarily, because I have a contract here until 2029. And my focus, I said many times, is solely on this club and I'm very proud to be here. But again, it's rumour. One week ago I was connected to a role in Italy with Juventus. So I don't pay attention because I know that is not true." Chelsea, currently sitting fourth in the Premier League, are scheduled to face Newcastle United this Saturday in a lunchtime fixture. Strain After Previous Remarks Maresca's latest comments come after he referred to a previous 48-hour period as his "worst" since joining Chelsea. Those initial remarks had sparked considerable speculation of a possible disagreement between the manager and the club's key decision-makers. When pressed if he had since spoken with the club's leadership, Maresca responded, "We are in the same facility, so we speak about various topics. But about the Everton media session, no." The Italian did confirm he would "absolutely" remain at the club next season and urged supporters to keep backing the team". In brighter news, Maresca indicated that injured attackers Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could be back ahead of schedule, possibly in contention for a fixture against Aston Villa on 27 December. Analysis: Unresolved Tension The perceived strain between Maresca and the club's hierarchy persists as an unhealed issue that still create unease. While there has been no deepening of the matter publicly, there has equally been no apology forthcoming, leaving the disagreement unaddressed. The mood during the manager's media briefings has grown increasingly strained, leading to concerns it could undermine what has up to now been a promising beginning to the campaign. Chelsea's on-field position is positive: they are in the top four in the league, have reached the League Cup semi-finals, and can achieve a favourable Champions League position with strong performances in their final games. The prevailing uncertainty is whether this behind-the-scenes situation might eventually affect a team that was just starting to look settled.
Enzo Maresca previously worked as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has labelled recent talk linking him with a return to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay. The 45-year-old, who once served as Pep Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad, addressed the persistent rumours about his next move. Maresca, appointed Chelsea manager in June 2024, is under contract running until 2029, with a possible extra year option. "It doesn't bother me at all because I know that is 100% speculation," Maresca said. "And at this moment, there is little room for such distractions." He further elaborated, Primarily, because I have a contract here until 2029. And my focus, I said many times, is solely on this club and I'm very proud to be here. But again, it's rumour. One week ago I was connected to a role in Italy with Juventus. So I don't pay attention because I know that is not true." Chelsea, currently sitting fourth in the Premier League, are scheduled to face Newcastle United this Saturday in a lunchtime fixture. Strain After Previous Remarks Maresca's latest comments come after he referred to a previous 48-hour period as his "worst" since joining Chelsea. Those initial remarks had sparked considerable speculation of a possible disagreement between the manager and the club's key decision-makers. When pressed if he had since spoken with the club's leadership, Maresca responded, "We are in the same facility, so we speak about various topics. But about the Everton media session, no." The Italian did confirm he would "absolutely" remain at the club next season and urged supporters to keep backing the team". In brighter news, Maresca indicated that injured attackers Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could be back ahead of schedule, possibly in contention for a fixture against Aston Villa on 27 December. Analysis: Unresolved Tension The perceived strain between Maresca and the club's hierarchy persists as an unhealed issue that still create unease. While there has been no deepening of the matter publicly, there has equally been no apology forthcoming, leaving the disagreement unaddressed. The mood during the manager's media briefings has grown increasingly strained, leading to concerns it could undermine what has up to now been a promising beginning to the campaign. Chelsea's on-field position is positive: they are in the top four in the league, have reached the League Cup semi-finals, and can achieve a favourable Champions League position with strong performances in their final games. The prevailing uncertainty is whether this behind-the-scenes situation might eventually affect a team that was just starting to look settled.