Ex-CEO shares 'tapping-up' reveal as Maresca’s talks with Man City take new twist

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Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness has revealed that informal “tapping up” of managers and players is now widespread and almost impossible to police, as fresh claims emerge over Enzo Maresca’s talks with Manchester City about succeeding Pep Guardiola.

The article explains that Maresca, recently sacked by Chelsea, is understood to have held more than one conversation with senior City figures about potentially returning to the Etihad in the future, despite Guardiola publicly insisting he intends to honour his contract and that there is no vacancy to discuss. These contacts reportedly occurred while Maresca was still under contract at Stamford Bridge, raising questions over whether City – or intermediaries acting on their behalf – have effectively been lining him up as a successor.

Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, describes how this kind of behind-the-scenes communication has become normal practice. While formal approaches without permission are banned under Premier League rules, he says clubs routinely use agents, lawyers and other third parties to sound out managers long before an official move is made. In his view, this “soft” tapping up is now so embedded in the game that it is extremely difficult for authorities to clamp down unless there is clear documentary proof.

The piece also notes that City strongly deny any improper conduct and insist they are focused on Guardiola, who has repeatedly stressed his happiness at the club and his desire to stay. However, with uncertainty over how long he will remain and with Maresca’s history as Guardiola’s assistant and U‑21 coach, the Italian is widely regarded as a serious candidate whenever the position eventually becomes available.

Overall, the article portrays a climate in which elite clubs are constantly planning two or three years ahead, quietly speaking to preferred targets through back channels. Wyness suggests this reality means tapping-up controversies will continue to surface, even if official complaints or sanctions remain rare.