Enzo Maresca has confirmed that he is ready to return to management ahead of next season, approximately five months after his departure from Chelsea.
Maresca resigned from his position at Stamford Bridge on January 1, 2026, following months of strained relations with the club's owners over their failure to strengthen the squad.
Maresca's Achievements at Chelsea
The Italian manager spent 18 months in charge at Chelsea, during which he led the team to victory in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup in his first season. He also guided the club back to the UEFA Champions League after a two-year absence and secured a memorable 3-0 win over Barcelona in the group stage.
Former RC Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior replaced Maresca but was sacked four months later after losing five consecutive Premier League games without scoring.
Maresca Open to Returning to Coaching
Maresca has expressed his desire to return to management this summer after spending the latter part of the season away from the spotlight in his native Italy. The Italian, who has been tipped to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City if the latter leaves this summer, emphasized the importance of being ready.
“I feel ready for the next chapter. That's the most important thing,” he said during an interview in Italy, as quoted by Sky Italia. “A future at Manchester City? What matters, regardless of the club, is being ready. There are only a few weeks left until the end of the season, then we'll see what happens.”
He also reflected on his experience working under Guardiola, acknowledging the methods and work ethic he learned. “It was a fundamental experience: he passed on the method to me. Working with Pep, I was lucky enough to see how to work. One thing that rarely stands out is the work ethic. It shows the passion he has for his job,” he added.
Interest from Other Clubs
According to Mirror UK, Manchester City are not the only club interested in Maresca. Italian sides AS Roma and Napoli have also shown interest, but Maresca prefers a return to England. “At the moment, I live in London, and I'm trying to prepare for the next experience. For an Italian, the call is always there, but I feel great in England,” he said.
“What's so special about England? We also focus on culture. The teams have a lot of intensity, and almost all the stadiums are beautiful. There's something built around football that draws attention and brings in revenue.”
Chelsea Contact Andoni Iraola
Legit.ng previously reported that Chelsea contacted Andoni Iraola as a potential replacement following the sacking of Liam Rosenior after four months. The Spanish manager has confirmed that he will leave AFC Bournemouth at the end of the season, and Chelsea reached out to learn about his plans.
