🔗 Share this article Chelsea Manager Maresca Rejects Man City Links as Pure Gossip Enzo Maresca previously worked as an coach to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has labelled fresh reports connecting him with a move to Manchester City as "100% speculation". The Italian manager, who once served as Pep Guardiola's right-hand man in Manchester, responded to the ongoing rumours surrounding his future. Maresca, named Chelsea boss in June 2024, has a contract that runs through the end of the decade, with a possible extra year available. "It doesn't affect me at all because I know that is completely unfounded," Maresca stated. "And at this moment, there is little room for these kind of things." He went on to explain, "First of all, because I have a contract here until 2029. And my focus, I said many times, is just about this club and I'm honoured to be here. But again, it's rumour. One week ago I was linked with Juventus in Italy. So I don't pay attention because I know that is not true." Chelsea, currently sitting fourth in the Premier League, are set to face Newcastle United on Saturday in a 12:30 GMT kick-off. Tensions After Previous Remarks Maresca's most recent comments come in the wake of he described a previous 48-hour period as his "worst" since arriving at Chelsea. Those initial remarks 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 responded, "We are in the same building, so we talk about different things. But about the post-Everton media session, no." The Italian did confirm he would "absolutely" stay at the club next season and called on the fans to keep backing the team". In more positive news, Maresca revealed that injured forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could return ahead of schedule, potentially available for a match against Aston Villa later this month. Perspective: An 'Open Wound' The apparent disconnect between Maresca and the Chelsea board persists as an open wound that still create unease. While there has been no deepening of the matter in the open, there has also been no apology forthcoming, creating the matter unresolved. The atmosphere during these press conferences has grown notably awkward, leading to fears it could undermine what has otherwise been a decent beginning to the campaign. Chelsea's sporting situation is positive: they are in the top four in the Premier League, have qualified for the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and can achieve a favourable European position with good results in their final games. The lingering uncertainty is whether this off-field dynamic might begin to affect a team that was just starting to appear settled.
Enzo Maresca previously worked as an coach to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has labelled fresh reports connecting him with a move to Manchester City as "100% speculation". The Italian manager, who once served as Pep Guardiola's right-hand man in Manchester, responded to the ongoing rumours surrounding his future. Maresca, named Chelsea boss in June 2024, has a contract that runs through the end of the decade, with a possible extra year available. "It doesn't affect me at all because I know that is completely unfounded," Maresca stated. "And at this moment, there is little room for these kind of things." He went on to explain, "First of all, because I have a contract here until 2029. And my focus, I said many times, is just about this club and I'm honoured to be here. But again, it's rumour. One week ago I was linked with Juventus in Italy. So I don't pay attention because I know that is not true." Chelsea, currently sitting fourth in the Premier League, are set to face Newcastle United on Saturday in a 12:30 GMT kick-off. Tensions After Previous Remarks Maresca's most recent comments come in the wake of he described a previous 48-hour period as his "worst" since arriving at Chelsea. Those initial remarks 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 responded, "We are in the same building, so we talk about different things. But about the post-Everton media session, no." The Italian did confirm he would "absolutely" stay at the club next season and called on the fans to keep backing the team". In more positive news, Maresca revealed that injured forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could return ahead of schedule, potentially available for a match against Aston Villa later this month. Perspective: An 'Open Wound' The apparent disconnect between Maresca and the Chelsea board persists as an open wound that still create unease. While there has been no deepening of the matter in the open, there has also been no apology forthcoming, creating the matter unresolved. The atmosphere during these press conferences has grown notably awkward, leading to fears it could undermine what has otherwise been a decent beginning to the campaign. Chelsea's sporting situation is positive: they are in the top four in the Premier League, have qualified for the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and can achieve a favourable European position with good results in their final games. The lingering uncertainty is whether this off-field dynamic might begin to affect a team that was just starting to appear settled.