Enzo Maresca’s path to becoming a head coach was significantly shaped by Pep Guardiola, with this influence predating their time together at Manchester City. Maresca himself has stated that his desire to move into management solidified while he was still a player, particularly during matches against Barcelona.
Recent reports indicate that Maresca is slated to succeed Guardiola as the head coach of Manchester City, with this transition expected at the conclusion of the 2026-27 season. Guardiola is anticipated to depart the Etihad Stadium after a decade at the helm, a period marked by numerous accolades including six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five EFL Cups, three Community Shields, and the prestigious 2022-23 Champions League, the 2023 Super Cup, and the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.
Maresca has a prior history with Manchester City, having served as the head of their Elite Development Squad from 2020 to 2021 before a stint managing Parma in Serie B. He rejoined City in 2022, this time as an assistant coach under Guardiola, contributing to their historic treble-winning season.
Now, Maresca is reportedly set for a third tenure at Manchester City, stepping into the role previously held by the man who inspired his transition to management.
Maresca Reflects on Guardiola’s Influence
In an interview at the Festival dello Sport in Trento last October, Maresca elaborated on Guardiola’s profound impact on his career. He expressed gratitude for learning from various distinguished coaches, including Ancelotti and Lippi, but highlighted Guardiola’s style of football as the one that consistently captivated him. “Playing against that Barcelona team with Sevilla made me realise I wanted to become a coach,” Maresca revealed.
Maresca also gained valuable experience working under another successful Manchester City manager, Manuel Pellegrini. He recalled his time scoring two goals in a Europa League final and the significant learning he derived from Pellegrini. Maresca also touched upon the joys and challenges of family life, humorously noting that fatherhood is far more complex than coaching.
However, it is Guardiola whom Maresca holds in the highest regard. “Being close to someone like Pep was fantastic, seeing how he looks at details and how he manages the team, that was fundamental for my growth,” he stated.
Maresca also shared a lighthearted perspective on the evolving dynamics between players and coaches, drawing parallels to his mother’s and wife’s changing viewpoints over time.
English Translation:
Pep Guardiola may have played a role in launching Enzo Maresca’s coaching career, but the Spaniard’s influence on the former Chelsea head coach began well before the Italian entered the world of management. Maresca himself stated, “I realised I wanted to be a coach while playing against Barcelona.”
According to recent reports, Italian head coach Maresca is poised to take over from Guardiola as the head coach of Manchester City at the end of the 2026-27 season. Guardiola is expected to depart the Etihad Stadium after a ten-year tenure, during which he secured six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five EFL Cups, three Community Shields, the 2022-23 Champions League, the 2023 Super Cup, and the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.
Maresca has previously held two positions at Manchester City: firstly, as the head of their Elite Development Squad from 2020 to 2021, before moving to manage Parma in Serie B. He returned to City in 2022 to serve as an assistant coach under Guardiola, and together they achieved the historic treble that season.
Now, Maresca appears set for a third stint at Manchester, this time to succeed the individual who inspired him to pursue a career in management.
What Maresca Said About Guardiola’s Influence
Maresca discussed Guardiola’s impact on his career during an interview at the Festival dello Sport in Trento last October. He remarked, “I’ve been lucky to have a lot of great coaches, from Ancelotti to Lippi, but the style of football that has always fascinated me has been Guardiola’s. Playing against that Barcelona team with Sevilla made me realise I wanted to become a coach.”
Maresca also worked under another of Manchester City’s Premier League-winning head coaches, Manuel Pellegrini. He reflected, “I was lucky enough to score two goals in the Europa League final, and to have a coach like Pellegrini, from whom I learned a lot. I also met my wife in Spain, the mother of my four children. There’s no comparison between the job of a coach and that of a father. The latter is much more difficult because you never know the right solution.”
However, Maresca holds Guardiola in the highest esteem. “Being close to someone like Pep was fantastic, seeing how he looks at details and how he manages the team, that was fundamental for my growth.”
Maresca also shared his humorous philosophy on the relationship between players and coaches: “When I was a player, my mother used to think that the players were always right and never the coaches. Now, she thinks that the coaches are always right and never the players. My wife, on the other hand, used to agree with the coaches, now she agrees with the players.”