Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has emphatically dismissed mounting speculation that he is being lined up as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, firmly pledging his future to the Stamford Bridge club.
Maresca Addresses City Speculation Head-On
Ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Newcastle United, the Italian boss directly confronted the rumours for the first time. Recent reports had suggested that Maresca, who previously worked as Guardiola's assistant and managed Manchester City's Under-23s, was "high on a list of candidates" to take over at the Etihad Stadium. The future of Guardiola, who will complete a decade at City next year, remains a topic of intense debate.
Maresca, however, insisted the talk had no impact on him. "It doesn't affect me at all," he stated. "I know that it is 100% speculation and in this moment, there is no time for these things. I have a contract here until 2029 and my focus is about this club." He compared the situation to recent links with Juventus, branding it all as mere background noise.
A Firm Commitment to Chelsea's Project
When pressed on whether he could guarantee he would still be Chelsea manager at the start of next season, Maresca's response was unequivocal. "Absolutely, yes," he affirmed. "I have a contract until 2029. It's speculation, 100%. I don't have nothing to add. I don't pay attention." He reiterated his pride in leading the Blues and stressed that his sole focus was on the immediate challenge of the Newcastle game on Saturday at 12.30pm.
The manager also reflected on his successful debut campaign in West London, where he secured a top-four Premier League finish and lifted both the UEFA Conference League and the Club World Cup. Despite that strong start, Maresca believes there is more to achieve. "Last year was good in terms of trophies and finishing fourth," he noted. "The target is to try and improve on what we did last season." He pointed to the recent League Cup quarter-final victory over Cardiff City as evidence of progress, calling it the "third semi-final in 18 months" under his tenure.
Focus on Football Amidst Mixed Form
Maresca's defiant comments come at a crucial point in Chelsea's season. The team currently sits fourth in the Premier League but has seen its momentum checked after winning just one of its last four domestic fixtures, allowing rivals like Arsenal to gain ground. Furthermore, a 2-1 away defeat to Atalanta has left the Blues in a disappointing 13th position in their Champions League group.
By publicly shutting down the Manchester City links and reaffirming his commitment, Maresca aims to bring stability and clarity, allowing his squad to concentrate fully on the demanding schedule ahead, starting with the trip to St. James' Park.
