Pep Guardiola has confirmed his intention to remain as the manager of Manchester City, amid speculation linking former assistant Enzo Maresca to a potential successor role. Guardiola, who has been at the helm since 2016, emphasized that he is committed to his contract, which extends until the summer of 2027.
This announcement follows reports suggesting that Chelsea FC had identified Maresca as a candidate to replace their recently departed manager. Chelsea parted ways with their head coach on January 1, 2024, and sources indicate that discussions between City and Maresca’s representatives may have taken place in recent months. Despite these rumors, Guardiola stated that there is currently no vacancy at Manchester City.
Guardiola’s Loyalty to City
Reflecting on his decade-long tenure, Guardiola expressed gratitude for the support he has received from the club’s hierarchy, particularly during challenging periods. “I have a contract. I said a thousand million times. It’s ten years here, I will leave one day, but I have a contract. I’m happy. I want to fight with my team,” he remarked, highlighting his dedication to City.
Guardiola further stated, “The hierarchy respect me, that was proved last season with what happened in this club — we didn’t win one game in two, three months. They supported me.” He reiterated his enjoyment in working with his current squad and his focus on upcoming matches.
Despite the ongoing rumors, there is uncertainty regarding whether Maresca’s agent has been actively courting interest from City or if genuine succession planning is underway. Chelsea’s management reportedly found discussions regarding Maresca disrespectful, even though he had indicated a willingness to sign a new contract should one be offered.
Upcoming Challenges for Manchester City
As City prepares to face Chelsea in their next match at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola acknowledged the unpredictability surrounding the London club’s managerial situation. “We don’t talk much if we don’t know what the opponent’s going to be like because we don’t know which manager will be sitting,” he noted. He stressed the importance of focusing on his own team’s performance, stating that this approach will be crucial for their upcoming games against Chelsea and Brighton.
City will look to bounce back after a recent 0-0 draw on New Year’s Day, a result that left them four points behind the league leaders at the halfway stage of the season. A silver lining from that match was the return of midfielder Rodri, who had been sidelined for an extended period due to injury. Guardiola praised Rodri’s impact, saying, “He changed the game. He proved in 45 minutes in his position he is the best. One year and a half without him, we missed him a lot.”
With Guardiola’s commitment to Manchester City firmly established, attention now turns to the team’s upcoming fixtures and their pursuit of success in the league.
