đź”— Share this article Chelsea Boss Maresca Dismisses Man City Links as '100%' Gossip Enzo Maresca was once an coach to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has labelled fresh reports connecting him with a return to Manchester City as "100% speculation". The 45-year-old, who previously worked as Pep Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad, addressed the persistent speculation surrounding his next move. Maresca, appointed Chelsea manager in the summer of 2024, has a contract that runs until 2029, with a potential extension 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 these kind of things." He further elaborated, "First of all, because I have a contract here for several more years. And my attention, I have stated many times, is just about this club and I'm honoured to be here. But again, it's speculation. One week ago I was connected to Juventus in Italy. So I ignore it because I know that is without foundation." Chelsea, presently placed fourth in the top flight, are set to face Newcastle United this Saturday in a 12:30 GMT kick-off. Tensions Following Previous Comments Maresca's most recent 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 coach and the club's ownership hierarchy. When pressed if he had discussed matters with the Chelsea's leadership, Maresca responded, "We are in the same building, so we speak about various topics. But about the post-Everton media session, no." The manager did confirm he would "absolutely" stay at the club for the coming campaign and called on the fans to "continue to support the team". In brighter news, Maresca revealed that injured forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could be back ahead of schedule, potentially in contention for a fixture against Aston Villa later this month. Analysis: Unresolved Tension The perceived strain between Maresca and the club's hierarchy remains as an unhealed issue that continues to cause concern. While there has been no deepening of the situation in the open, there has also been no resolution offered, creating the matter unresolved. The mood during these press conferences has grown notably awkward, raising concerns it could impact what has up to now been a promising start to the campaign. Chelsea's sporting situation is positive: they are fourth in the league, have qualified for the League Cup last four, and can secure a favourable European position with strong results in their final games. The lingering question is whether this off-field dynamic might eventually disrupt a squad that was beginning to appear settled.
Enzo Maresca was once an coach to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has labelled fresh reports connecting him with a return to Manchester City as "100% speculation". The 45-year-old, who previously worked as Pep Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad, addressed the persistent speculation surrounding his next move. Maresca, appointed Chelsea manager in the summer of 2024, has a contract that runs until 2029, with a potential extension 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 these kind of things." He further elaborated, "First of all, because I have a contract here for several more years. And my attention, I have stated many times, is just about this club and I'm honoured to be here. But again, it's speculation. One week ago I was connected to Juventus in Italy. So I ignore it because I know that is without foundation." Chelsea, presently placed fourth in the top flight, are set to face Newcastle United this Saturday in a 12:30 GMT kick-off. Tensions Following Previous Comments Maresca's most recent 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 coach and the club's ownership hierarchy. When pressed if he had discussed matters with the Chelsea's leadership, Maresca responded, "We are in the same building, so we speak about various topics. But about the post-Everton media session, no." The manager did confirm he would "absolutely" stay at the club for the coming campaign and called on the fans to "continue to support the team". In brighter news, Maresca revealed that injured forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could be back ahead of schedule, potentially in contention for a fixture against Aston Villa later this month. Analysis: Unresolved Tension The perceived strain between Maresca and the club's hierarchy remains as an unhealed issue that continues to cause concern. While there has been no deepening of the situation in the open, there has also been no resolution offered, creating the matter unresolved. The mood during these press conferences has grown notably awkward, raising concerns it could impact what has up to now been a promising start to the campaign. Chelsea's sporting situation is positive: they are fourth in the league, have qualified for the League Cup last four, and can secure a favourable European position with strong results in their final games. The lingering question is whether this off-field dynamic might eventually disrupt a squad that was beginning to appear settled.