Expert: PL manager on 'shortlist' to replace Pep Guardiola at Man City
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Keith Wyness shares verdict on Enzo Maresca agreeing early Man City deal Sun 28 December 2025 16:00, UK Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will be a contender to replace Pep Guardiola at Man City when the Spaniard departs.That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes Maresca’s previous work at Man City will make him a candidate for the job.Maresca previously worked under Guardiola as Man City’s assistant manager in the 2022-23 season, whilst the Italian has also been the boss of the club’s under-23 team.Tensions have risen between Maresca and the Chelsea ownership recently, leading to doubts over his long-term future at Stamford Bridge.Enzo Maresca to Man City a ‘tangible move’Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes it is currently just rumours over whether Maresca will be the next Man City manager.Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness though is adamant that Maresca will be considered for the job when Guardiola departs.He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think it’s all a bit of what if, and it suits Maresca right now to have that rumour floating around to try and perhaps put some people back in their box a little bit in terms of the football side of Chelsea. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES “So I’m putting it down to that at the moment rather than actually some real tangible move.
But I do think there is, you know, with that history of being at City before. And as I say, no smoke without fire.
“And he would definitely be on a shortlist once Pep has made that decision.” Credit: ImagoChelsea hit by Champions League blowChelsea‘s hopes of making the Premier League top four for the second successive season were dented by defeat against Aston Villa.Two Ollie Watkins strikes ensured Aston Villa beat Chelsea 2-1, and make it just one win in six Premier League matches for the Blues.Maresca’s side now sit three points below the Champions League spots, and their title hopes have vanished over the past few weeks.