🔗 Share this article Chelsea Boss Maresca Rejects Manchester City Links as Pure Gossip Enzo Maresca was once an coach to Pep Guardiola with Manchester City. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has branded recent reports connecting him with a return to Manchester City as "100% speculation". The 45-year-old, who once served as Pep Guardiola's right-hand man in Manchester, responded to the ongoing rumours about his future. Maresca, named Chelsea manager in June 2024, has a contract that runs through the end of the decade, with a possible extension available. "It doesn't bother me at all because I know that is 100% speculation," Maresca stated. "And at this moment, there is no time 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 very proud to be here. But again, it's rumour. One week ago I was connected to Juventus in Italy. So I ignore it because I know that is without foundation." Chelsea, currently sitting in fourth position in the Premier League, are set to face Newcastle United on Saturday in a 12:30 GMT kick-off. Strain After Recent Comments Maresca's most recent comments follow after he referred to a recent two-day spell as his most difficult since joining Chelsea. Those initial words had fueled widespread talk of a possible disagreement between the coach and the club's key decision-makers. When pressed if he had discussed matters with the club's leadership, Maresca replied, "We are in the same building, so we talk about different things. But about the post-Everton media session, no." The manager did confirm he would definitely stay at the club for the coming campaign and called on the fans to keep backing the team". In more positive news, Maresca indicated that sidelined forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could return ahead of schedule, possibly in contention for a match against Aston Villa on 27 December. Perspective: Unresolved Tension The perceived strain between Maresca and the club's hierarchy remains as an open wound that continues to create unease. While there has been no further escalation of the situation in the open, there has equally been no resolution offered, creating the matter unaddressed. The atmosphere during these press conferences has grown notably strained, raising fears it could impact what has otherwise been a promising beginning to the campaign. Chelsea's on-field situation is positive: they are in the top four in the Premier League, have qualified for the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and can secure a favourable Champions League position with strong performances in their remaining games. The prevailing question is whether this off-field situation might eventually affect a squad that was just starting to appear settled.
Enzo Maresca was once an coach to Pep Guardiola with Manchester City. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has branded recent reports connecting him with a return to Manchester City as "100% speculation". The 45-year-old, who once served as Pep Guardiola's right-hand man in Manchester, responded to the ongoing rumours about his future. Maresca, named Chelsea manager in June 2024, has a contract that runs through the end of the decade, with a possible extension available. "It doesn't bother me at all because I know that is 100% speculation," Maresca stated. "And at this moment, there is no time 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 very proud to be here. But again, it's rumour. One week ago I was connected to Juventus in Italy. So I ignore it because I know that is without foundation." Chelsea, currently sitting in fourth position in the Premier League, are set to face Newcastle United on Saturday in a 12:30 GMT kick-off. Strain After Recent Comments Maresca's most recent comments follow after he referred to a recent two-day spell as his most difficult since joining Chelsea. Those initial words had fueled widespread talk of a possible disagreement between the coach and the club's key decision-makers. When pressed if he had discussed matters with the club's leadership, Maresca replied, "We are in the same building, so we talk about different things. But about the post-Everton media session, no." The manager did confirm he would definitely stay at the club for the coming campaign and called on the fans to keep backing the team". In more positive news, Maresca indicated that sidelined forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could return ahead of schedule, possibly in contention for a match against Aston Villa on 27 December. Perspective: Unresolved Tension The perceived strain between Maresca and the club's hierarchy remains as an open wound that continues to create unease. While there has been no further escalation of the situation in the open, there has equally been no resolution offered, creating the matter unaddressed. The atmosphere during these press conferences has grown notably strained, raising fears it could impact what has otherwise been a promising beginning to the campaign. Chelsea's on-field situation is positive: they are in the top four in the Premier League, have qualified for the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and can secure a favourable Champions League position with strong performances in their remaining games. The prevailing question is whether this off-field situation might eventually affect a squad that was just starting to appear settled.