Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has dismissed reports naming him as a potential successor to Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola, calling them “100 per cent speculation”.
On Thursday, The Athletic reported that the Italian is being considered as one of Guardiola’s potential replacements if he leaves the club in the summer.
Guardiola’s current contract with City runs until 2027, but the club are reported to have contingency plans in place should the six-time Premier League champion decide to leave.
Maresca was one of Guardiola’s assistant managers during the treble-winning 2022/23 season, before going on to win the Sky Bet Championship with Leicester and two trophies himself as head coach with Chelsea.
“It doesn’t affect me at all, I know it’s 100 per cent speculation,” Maresca told a press conference on Friday morning ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Newcastle on Saturday.
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“At the moment I don’t have time for something like this, first of all because I’m contracted here until 2029.
“As I have said many times, my focus is solely on this club and I am very proud to be here.
“That’s just speculation. It was the same thing a week ago against Juventus in Italy.
“I don’t care because I know that’s not true.
“Now it’s important to understand why this news broke. But that’s none of my business. I don’t care at all.”
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Kabe Solgecol explains reports that Maresca could replace Guardiola at the end of the season
He was then asked if he could promise supporters that he would remain at Chelsea next season.
“Of course I am,” he replied.
“Again, I have a contract until 2029, but this is speculation.
“I have nothing to add because I’m not paying attention, and if we keep talking about it, that means I’m paying attention to it.
“I’m just focused on the Newcastle game and my job.”
Pep insists he wants to stay at Man City amid reports about his future
Meanwhile, Guardiola, who enjoyed success with City including winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League, insists his job at Manchester City is not done, saying his future will be determined by his performance.
He said: “I’m happy here and I want to stay here.What can I say?The result always decides.
“When the second chapter comes, the club will choose what is best to continue this great period at Man City.
“There have been rumors over and over again over the last few years, but I want to stay here. We’ll see once the season is over.
“I’m excited because there’s room for improvement, room to do better. That’s what I like.”
“Last season was a really, really tough season, but I didn’t give up and was able to stay there. This season has been much better in many ways and I’m still here.
“It depends on how I feel, and I feel good right now, so I want to keep going.
“Will it change? Maybe, I don’t know. But that’s not what I’m feeling right now. What I’m feeling now is something I want to continue with my players for as long as possible.”
Pep: I won’t talk about Man City’s future
Guardiola went on to insist that there had been no discussions with Manchester City bosses about his future, but stopped short of confirming that he would complete the 18 months of his contract.
When asked if he was thinking of leaving the team after this season, he answered, “I’ve been asked that question at some point over the past three or four years.”
“Sooner or later, I don’t know, when I’m 75 or 76, I will quit Manchester City.
“My contract is coming to an end, but I have 18 months[left]so I can understand the question.
Josep Guardiola has 18 months left on his contract
“I’m very happy, happy and excited to be joining the team as it continues to grow.
“But that question comes up every season at a certain point.
“I’m fine. The club and I are incredibly connected in terms of the decisions we have to make.
“I’m here and you never know what’s going to happen.
“Even if it’s a 10-year contract or a six-month contract, soccer will change a lot.”
He added, “There is no discussion.The main issue is over.”
“In my second or third season here, I said I wouldn’t be here forever. But there’s no discussion.
“Of course the club needs to be prepared for everything, both the players and the CEO.
“Apart from the owners, which I don’t think will happen unless they decide to sell the club, the rest have to prepare.”
Maresca hopes to return to Delap after Christmas
Liam Delap suffers shoulder injury against Bournemouth
Maresca was also asked about the team’s injury situation ahead of the trip to St James’ Park.
“We’ll be fine. The players we left in Cardiff will be fine,” he said.
“Romeo (Lavia) isn’t out yet. Levi (Colwill) isn’t out yet either.”
He then gave a positive update on Liam Delap’s return date after sustaining a shoulder injury against Bournemouth on December 6.
“Liam Delap and Dario Esgo will probably be available for the next game against Aston Villa (December 27), which is good news.
“We’ve said since Liam got injured that we don’t know exactly how long (he) will be out, but he’s progressing very well.”
