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Sports
Enzo Maresca says he is ready to return to coaching after five months away, amid strong reports linking him to Manchester City.
Enzo Maresca has declared himself ready to return to the dugout, with persistent reports connecting the Italian to the Manchester City job as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola should the Spaniard leave at the end of the current season.
The 46-year-old has been out of work since parting ways with Chelsea on January 1, following a series of disagreements with the club's board. His tenure at Stamford Bridge had been marked by a major achievement: winning the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States last year after defeating Paris Saint-Germain in the final.
Maresca’s coaching career began in Italy with Parma. He then achieved notable success in England by guiding Leicester City back to the Premier League during the 2023-2024 season. That accomplishment opened the door to Chelsea last summer, and it now appears to be paving the way for a potential move to the Etihad Stadium.
Appearing as a guest on "Sky Sport Italia," Maresca addressed his time away from the pitch. "I feel ready for the next chapter, and that is the most important thing for me right now," he said, after spending five months on the sidelines.
Maresca is considered the leading candidate to replace Guardiola, largely due to his extensive history with Manchester City. He served as Guardiola's assistant during the historic treble-winning season of 2022-2023 and, before that, coached the club's academy.
When pressed directly about the rumors linking him to the City job, Maresca did not deny them, instead adding to the speculation. "What matters, regardless of the name of the club, is that you are ready. There are only a few weeks left until the end of the season, and then we will see what happens," he stated.
