WILL ENZO MARESCA REPLACE PEP GUARDIOLA: MAN CITY PLOT SHOCK MOVE FOR CHELSEA BOSS
Why is Enzo Maresca questioning his Chelsea future? New reports link the Italian to a sensational Man City return in 2026.
Word is, Chelsea's manager, Enzo Maresca, is high up on Man City's list to replace Pep Guardiola when he eventually leaves. He's had two stints at City before and could be back for a third when Guardiola, the star coach, decides to leave the team.
Guardiola's contract: Will he break it?
The Athletic says City is already planning for 2026, just in case Guardiola leaves before his contract ends in 2027.
Some sources say that people think this might be Guardiola's last season at City, and he'll probably decide for sure closer to the end of the season. The team wants to make sure they have a good replacement ready.
Maresca is still well-liked at City and is expected to be a top pick if the job opens up. He's not the only one they're thinking about, but he's definitely on their radar.
Guardiola wants to take a breather after City.
City knows Guardiola usually waits relatively late before deciding what to do, so they need to be prepared. The Athletic also says that the Financial Fair Play case, which is a big issue for City, doesn't affect Guardiola's situation.
He's said before that he wants to take a break from coaching after his time at City. Having been in England since 2016, Guardiola mentioned, “After my contract with City, I’m going to stop. I am sure. I don’t know if I’m going to retire, but I’m going to take a break.”
What Maresca said about his 'worst 48 hours'
Maresca, who's been managing Chelsea since 2024, makes sense as Guardiola's replacement. He used to coach City's U21 team in 2020-21 and was later an assistant coach for the first team after managing Parma for a bit.
He has a contract with Chelsea until 2029, and the team can extend it for another year. But people are wondering about his future because he seemed to question whether he's getting enough support from Chelsea's bosses.
Before their 2-0 win against Everton, which ended a four-game losing streak, he said, “The way the players want to learn has been amazing, and that's why I'm praising them. They're doing great, even with so many issues after a tough week. Since I started at the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst because many people didn't back us.”
He added, “Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn't support the team and me.” When asked who wasn't supporting him, Maresca said, "In general. In general. I love the fans, and we are very happy with the fans.”
Kompany is another possible replacement for Guardiola.
Guardiola seems to want someone familiar to take over. He recently said about Maresca, who has won big titles with Chelsea, “Look what happened after Leeds [a 3-1 loss for the Blues]. One of the best managers in the world, Enzo Maresca—I know him quite well—but the job he has done at Chelsea does not get enough credit.
“Winning the Club World Cup, the Conference League, and qualification for the Champions League in a league that is so tough with a young team. It is exceptional. And he rotated, and look what happened?”
Vincent Kompany, who used to captain City and win Premier League titles, is also being mentioned as a possible replacement. He's now coaching Harry Kane and his teammates at Bayern Munich in Germany.
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
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