According to The Athletic, Maresca is considered “high among the candidates” as City develop contingency plans amid ongoing speculation over Guardiola’s future.
Although Guardiola’s current contract runs until 2027, there is a growing belief that an early exit could come after nearly a decade in charge, prompting the club to quietly prepare for a possible transition.
Maresca’s candidacy is strengthened by his deep-rooted connections with City’s hierarchy.
The 45-year-old previously managed the club’s under-21 side before becoming Guardiola’s right-hand man in 2022, gaining first-hand experience of the tactical principles that have underpinned City’s dominance. He later moved on to Leicester City, where he enjoyed immediate success by guiding them to promotion from the Championship at the first attempt.
Now in charge at Chelsea, Maresca has continued to enhance his reputation. He was appointed shortly after the club parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino at the end of last season and has since overseen an impressive turnaround.
Despite losing several key players during the summer transfer window and coping with the prolonged absences of Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill, Chelsea have made a strong start to the campaign.
Under Maresca, the London club secured Champions League qualification and lifted the Europa Conference League, delivering the first trophy of the BlueCo ownership era.
Chelsea’s early-season form has also pushed them into the Premier League title conversation, further underlining Maresca’s growing credentials as one of Europe’s most promising coaches.
