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Man City now targeting Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca to succeed Pep Guardiola
Manchester City have now reportedly set their sights on a Premier League rival to replace Pep Guardiola if the Spaniard leaves the club next summer.
Guardiola heaps praise on “fantastic” Cherki
Whilst spending records were smashed in the Premier League last summer, Man City remained calm and picked out a gem in Rayan Cherki for around £30m. It looked like a bargain at the time and it certainly is now following the electic start that the Frenchman has made at the Etihad following initial injury struggles.
It was Cherki’s rabona assist for Phil Foden against Sunderland which stole the headlines at the beginning of the month, but it turns out that he still had another moment of brilliance left in the tank before Christmas – scoring an incredible effort against Brentford on Wednesday night.
Even Guardiola couldn’t help but praise his tricky midfield star after such a sensational strike, telling reporters at full-time: “He made a fantastic goal.
“A blind guy, blind woman can realise, you don’t have to be a journalist or a manager to realise that was a fantastic goal. And so many times with Phil ,these types of goals we had before. So happy that it opened the game.”
Into the semi-final of the Carabao Cup as a result, it’s fair to say that Man City are back to their best form and that can only be bad news for the rest of the Premier League.
“Stunning” £35m star who nearly joined Liverpool now top target for Man City
City are preparing to step up a move for a Liverpool target.
As things stand, the Citizens sit just two points behind leaders Arsenal and ready to pounce on any slip-up in North London. They’ve been here before, they’ve done it before and it could even be Guardiola’s last hurrah.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Man City are now targeting Enzo Maresca as part of their Guardiola “contingency” plan. The Manchester club are reportedly “advancing” their plans in case their iconic manager chooses to depart next summer.
Man City now targeting Enzo Maresca
Guardiola’s former assistant, it would be a fitting moment if Maresca returned to take the reins at the Etihad next summer. The Italian is gradually beginning to prove his credentials at Chelsea, winning the Europa Conference League and Club World Cup in 2025, but could yet be on his way out of Stamford Bridge.
Reports that he’s in City’s sights certainly come at a bad time for those in West London following Maresca’s claim that he wasn’t being fully backed at the club following last weekend’s victory over Everton. Those tensions, plus a potential approach from City, could spark quite the saga.
If Guardiola gets any say on the matter, then Maresca’s chances may only increase. The City boss told reporters when asked about his former assistant a few weeks ago: “One of the best managers in the world, Enzo Maresca, I know him quite well but, the job he has done at Chelsea does not get enough credit.
“Winning the Club World Cup, Conference League, qualification for the Champions League in a league that is so tough with a young team. It is exceptional.”
