Pep Guardiola may have been instrumental in launching Enzo Maresca’s coaching career, but the Spaniard’s influence on the former Chelsea head coach predates Maresca’s entry into management. Maresca himself revealed, “I realized I wanted to be a coach while playing against Barcelona.”
Reports suggest that Maresca is poised to succeed Guardiola as the head coach of Manchester City at the conclusion of the 2026-27 season. Guardiola is anticipated to depart the Etihad Stadium after a decade at the helm, during which he achieved remarkable success, including six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five EFL Cups, three Community Shields, the 2022-23 Champions League, the 2023 Super Cup, and the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.
Maresca has a prior connection with Manchester City, having served as the head of their Elite Development Squad from 2020 to 2021 before embarking on a stint with Parma in Serie B. He returned to City in 2022 to work as an assistant coach under Guardiola, contributing to their historic treble-winning season.
Now, Maresca appears set for a third tenure at Manchester, this time stepping into the shoes of the coach who inspired his transition into management.
Maresca Reflects on Guardiola’s Influence
During an interview at the Festival dello Sport in Trento last October, Maresca elaborated on Guardiola’s significant impact on his career. “I’ve been fortunate to have worked with many great coaches, from Ancelotti to Lippi, but Guardiola’s style of football has always captivated me,” Maresca stated. “Playing against that Barcelona team with Sevilla was the moment I knew I wanted to become a coach.”
Maresca also previously worked under another successful Manchester City manager, Manuel Pellegrini. “I was lucky enough to score two goals in the Europa League final and learn a great deal from a coach like Pellegrini. I also met my wife in Spain, the mother of my four children. There’s no comparison between the job of a coach and that of a father. The latter is far more challenging as you never quite know the right solution.”
However, Guardiola remains the figure Maresca holds in the highest regard. “Being close to someone like Pep was incredible, observing his attention to detail and his team management was fundamental to my growth.”
Maresca also shared a lighthearted perspective on the player-coach dynamic: “When I was a player, my mother always thought the players were right and the coaches wrong. Now, she believes coaches are always right and players are not. My wife, conversely, used to side with the coaches, but now she agrees with the players.”
