Chelsea Boss Enzo Maresca Makes Stance Clear on Rumors Linking Him With Manchester City Move To Replace Pep Guardiola

After rumors about Manchester City reportedly being keen to hire Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca surfaced earlier this week, Blues fans were sent into a frenzy. However, the Italian tactician has recently rubbished speculations about his future.

So, what did the former Leicester City and Parma boss say about the recent rumors?

Enzo Maresca Asserts He Is Focused on Chelsea Despite Links

Ahead of Chelsea’s upcoming Premier League encounter at Newcastle United, Maresca was asked to provide his honest thoughts on his recent links to his former club, Manchester City. In response, he reassured the Blues faithful that he is not planning to leave soon.

“It doesn’t affect me at all because I know that is 100% speculation. And at this moment, there is no time for these kind of things. First of all, because I have a contract here until 2029 probably. And my focus, I said many times, is just about this club and I’m very proud to be here,” Maresca said (via BBC).

Maresca, who was appointed as Chelsea’s head coach in July 2024, added, “But again, it’s speculation. One week ago I was in Italy, the same with Juventus. So I don’t pay attention because I know that is not true. It’s important to understand why this news was there but it is just speculation.”

The 45-year-old Blues boss’ remarks come after The Athletic reported that Manchester City have identified him as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola. The Cityzens’ leadership holds the Italian in high regard due to his prior stint as an assistant coach at the club.

READ MORE: Chelsea Superstar Told He Is Best in the World in His Position

Meanwhile, Chelsea are fourth in the 2025-26 Premier League table with 28 points from 16 matches and 13th in the UEFA Champions League standings with 10 points from six games.

Maresca Urged To Add Former Chelsea Star to His Squad

Brazil defender Thiago Silva has reportedly bid farewell to his Fluminense teammates, as he is keen to secure a winter move to a team near London. And ex-Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent has urged Maresca to facilitate a return for Silva to Chelsea.

“With the experience he’s got, I would bring him back in some capacity. He might have more of a coaching role at Chelsea now, but when you talk about someone who has got the experience, has played at the highest level and that’s got a connection to the club as well. You could go and sign a 21-year-old and they still wouldn’t be as good as him,” Bent told talkSPORT (via Metro).

Silva, who has made 66 total appearances for Fluminense in the last 18 months, played for Chelsea from 2020 to 2024. The 41-year-old helped the club lift three trophies, featuring in 155 matches across all competitions in the process.