Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has issued a firm and unequivocal denial of rumours linking him with a sensational return to Manchester City this summer. The Italian, who signed a long-term deal with the Blues last year, insists his future remains firmly at Stamford Bridge.
Contract Commitment Silences Speculation
Speaking ahead of Chelsea's Premier League clash with Newcastle United, Maresca was directly questioned about the growing speculation that he could replace Pep Guardiola at the Etihad should the Catalan depart. He pointed to the length of his current contract as the clearest rebuttal. Maresca's deal with Chelsea runs until 2029, with the club holding an option for a further year.
"Absolutely, yes," Maresca stated when asked if he could promise fans he would be in charge next season. "I have a contract until 2029, and this is speculation, 100 per cent. I don't have anything to add... I'm focused on the Newcastle game. I'm focused on my job."
Clarifying the 'Emotional Reaction' Claims
The press conference also provided Maresca with a platform to address the fallout from his cryptic comments following Chelsea's victory over Everton last weekend. After that win, he claimed a lack of "support" from "many people" had caused his "worst 48 hours" at the club.
Club sources subsequently described his outburst as an "emotional reaction to an emotional win." On Friday, Maresca forcefully contradicted that characterisation. "What I said, it was not an emotional reaction. It was not an emotional reaction. I said what I said. Full stop," he declared, leaving the mystery surrounding his initial remarks unresolved.
Dismissing Theories Behind the Scenes
When pressed on potential reasons for his discontent, Maresca batted away popular theories. He denied seeking greater influence over transfer policy, stating: "No, no, absolutely not. I’m happy with the squad." He also rejected suggestions he was unhappy with being questioned by the club's sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.
Despite the ongoing murmurs of disharmony, Maresca maintains regular communication with the hierarchy. "Yes, we are in the same building. We speak about different things," he confirmed, though he noted they had not discussed his post-Everton press conference specifically.
The 44-year-old, who assisted Guardiola during Manchester City's historic treble-winning 2022-23 campaign, remains adamant that external noise does not affect him. He compared the City links to recent rumours connecting him with Juventus, attributing it all to baseless gossip. For now, Maresca's immediate focus is on Chelsea's campaign, with his long-term contract serving as his stated bulwark against the swirling speculation.
