“Guardiola predicted Maresca would become an extraordinary manager before his Chelsea appointment.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola foresaw Enzo Maresca’s potential to become an ‘extraordinary’ manager three years before Maresca’s anticipated appointment at Chelsea.
Chelsea is close to finalizing Maresca as their new head coach, succeeding Mauricio Pochettino. Maresca recently led Leicester City to the Championship title in his first full season as a manager. The 44-year-old Italian moved to Leicester from Manchester City, where he had been Guardiola’s assistant during a treble-winning season. Prior to that, Maresca managed City’s elite development squad (EDS) and had a brief stint as manager of Serie B side Parma.
In 2021, following Maresca’s success with the EDS, Guardiola predicted Maresca’s future as an outstanding manager, likening him to another of his former assistants. “We are delighted with Enzo Maresca. The organization he demonstrated with the EDS showed he will become an extraordinary manager. I feel it. Just as I saw with Mikel Arteta, I see it with Enzo. He helped develop many young players.”
Guardiola also praised the contributions of Maresca and fellow assistant Rodolfo Borrell to City’s 2022/23 treble-winning campaign. Reflecting on Maresca’s departure to Leicester, Guardiola humorously remarked, “I don’t know what happens with my assistant managers. I take care of them incredibly well, and they always leave me!
“I want to express my gratitude to Rodo for our incredible seven years together and to Enzo for the last year. They were integral to our success, and I wish them all the best. Rodo in MLS and Enzo with Leicester deserve the best.”
Maresca’s imminent move to Chelsea marks another step in his managerial career, which has been characterized by rapid progression and significant achievements, validating Guardiola’s early prediction.
