'Chelsea have lost an incredible manager' - Pep Guardiola

Cameron Smith

2 Jan 2026 08:43 CST
4 min read

Pep Guardiola, Enzo Maresca, Chelsea, Man City — © IMAGO

Pep Guardiola has admitted that Chelsea “have lost an incredible, incredible manager” following Enzo Maresca’s departure on New Year’s Day.

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The Italian left his role at Stamford Bridge after 18 months in charge amid a significant feud with the club’s hierarchy and reports that he could replace Guardiola at Manchester City ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Maresca won just one of his final seven Premier League matches as Chelsea head coach, however his exit was largely due to a public bust-up with the Blues’ owners and sporting directors.

The former Leicester City boss was angered by a perceived lack of support from the Chelsea hierarchy, while he reportedly felt pressured to make certain selection decisions by the club’s medical team.

After significant rumours of an exit, Maresca finally departed the west London giants on 1 January and he became the fifth Premier League manager to lose their job in 2025-26 in the process.

Pep Guardiola responds to Enzo Maresca rumours

It’s understood that Maresca is on Man City’s shortlist of possible replacements for Guardiola if he leaves his role at the Etihad Stadium this summer, and the Italian is reported to have held talks with his former club over a return in 2026.

However, Guardiola refused to comment on speculation that he could depart the eight-time Premier League champions ahead of his side’s clash against Chelsea on Sunday.

© IMAGO - Enzo Maresca has been linked with the Man City job

“You want to fire me?” the Man City boss told reporters. “My salary is so high, so I have one more year.

“I have a contract, I've said it a thousand million times. I know you are bored of me, 10 years here. You want [me to leave]? Yeah, I'm pretty sure of that.

“You know, I will leave one day. I promise. I promise. But I have a contract. I'm happy, I want to fight with my team. The hierarchy respects me. They proved it last season with what happened in this club, that we didn't win one game in two, three months. They support me.

“So what can I do? I want to try and do it [next season], but maybe one day, I don't know. But I have one more year [on my] contract. I like to be here, so we will see. We will see. I've said it a thousand million times about that.”

When asked about Maresca’s Chelsea departure, Guardiola added: “Only I can say that Chelsea, I think from my point of view, have lost an incredible, incredible manager. Incredible person. But it's a decision from the hierarchy from Chelsea, so [I have] nothing to say.”

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