Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca says reviews describing him as a possible successor to Manchester Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola are “100% hypothesis”.
The 45-year-old is the previous assistant to Guardiola at Metropolis, who’ve began the method of figuring out candidates to interchange the Spaniard amid uncertainty over whether or not he’ll stay on the membership subsequent season.
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Guardiola has established himself as one of the crucial revered figures in Metropolis’s historical past, profitable a bunch of main trophies since being appointed as supervisor in 2016, together with six Premier League titles and the 2022-23 Champions League.
Maresca grew to become Chelsea boss in June 2024 and has a contract working till 2029, with an possibility to increase by an additional season.
When requested whether or not there was any fact to the Metropolis reviews, the Italian stated: “It would not have an effect on me in any respect as a result of I do know that’s 100% hypothesis. And at this second, there is no such thing as a time for these sort of issues.
“To start with, as a result of I’ve a contract right here till 2029 in all probability. And my focus, I stated many instances, is nearly this membership and I am very proud to be right here. However once more, it is hypothesis. One week in the past I used to be in Italy, the identical with Juventus. So I do not concentrate as a result of I do know that isn’t true.
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“It is vital to grasp why this information was there however it’s simply hypothesis.”
Fourth-placed Chelsea play Newcastle within the Premier League on Saturday at 12:30 GMT.
Maresca’s feedback come after he stated “many individuals” brought about his “worst 48 hours” since becoming a member of Chelsea following a final weekend.
These remarks sparked speak of a rift between the supervisor and controlling proprietor Behdad Eghbali, together with sporting administrators Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.
When requested if he had spoken to these key figures, Maresca stated: “We’re in the identical constructing, so we discuss various things. However concerning the Everton press convention, no.”
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Maresca then replied “completely, sure” when requested if he would stay on the membership subsequent season, and he additionally urged followers to “proceed to assist the crew”.
There was some optimistic information for Chelsea when Maresca revealed forwards Liam Delap (shoulder) and Estevao Willian (muscle) may return sooner than anticipated to face Aston Villa on 27 December.
Metropolis’s ‘due diligence put into sharper focus’ – evaluation
The sense of a possible change at Metropolis has seen the membership start to take a look at doable successors to Guardiola.
It’s believed that not less than two candidates have already been recognized, although there was no affirmation of any names as issues stand.
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BBC Sport understands that potential new signings are additionally conscious of the potential for Guardiola leaving on the finish of the season.
The membership’s sporting director Hugo Viana, who arrived earlier this 12 months, is enjoying a key function in compiling the shortlist of managers within the occasion of Guardiola departing.
The 54-year-old’s present deal expires in 2027 and a ultimate choice on whether or not he sees out the contract will not be anticipated till in the direction of the tip of this season.
Whereas golf equipment will usually have succession and contingency plans in place for the occasion of managerial adjustments, the uncertainty over Guardiola’s future has put Metropolis’s due diligence into sharper focus.
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‘Open wound stays’ – evaluation
The rift between Maresca and his superiors is an open wound and continues to trigger ache.
There was no escalation of the Italian’s authentic feedback, however there are additionally no apologies and no decision.
The temper at these information conferences has turn out to be awkward and jarring, and there’s a worry it may undermine what has been an affordable begin to the season.
Chelsea are fourth within the Premier League, into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and will keep away from the play-off spherical of the Champions League by profitable their final two league-phase matches.
However may this uncertainty start to have an effect on a squad that was simply beginning to look settled?
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For now, it’s only Maresca who’s obliged to talk as a Premier League supervisor. There isn’t a requirement for the possession or senior figures at Stamford Bridge to remark. That leaves a lot unsaid publicly and area for hypothesis to develop.