Enzo Maresca and Mikel Arteta stated they will not take Pep Guardiola’s place at Manchester City

Enzo Maresca and Mikel Arteta have been told not to expect to succeed legendary Pep Guardiola at Manchester City once he steps down.

Guardiola is expected to depart the team at the end of the current campaign, according to rumors, as his lengthy and fruitful tenure at the Etihad Stadium seems to be coming to an end.

The 53-year-old joined Man City in 2016 and, despite some early teething issues, has presided over one of the most successful eras in English football, as the Citizens have won four straight Premier League championships, six domestic cups, and the Champions League.

But Manchester City are currently going through their most difficult period under Guardiola, losing their last four games in all competitions to lose ground on Premier League leaders Liverpool and crash out of the Carabao Cup.

Man City will already be planning for life after Guardiola but ex-England midfielder Danny Murphy has essentially ruled Arteta and Maresca out of the running for the job despite their close links to the club.

Arsenal boss Arteta was Guardiola’s assistant at City before taking over Arsenal in 2021, while Chelsea manager Maresca worked in at the Etihad academy up until the same year.

Arteta has come close to winning the Premier League title at Arsenal while Maresca has made a superb start to his tenure at Stamford Bridge and will look for more success on Sunday when his Chelsea side take on the Gunners.

‘It’s a massive compliment to Pep Guardiola that two of the brightest Premier League managers worked for him at Manchester City and have greatly improved Chelsea and Arsenal on what they learned,’ Murphy told Mail Sport.

‘Enzo Maresca and Mikel Arteta will be in the conversation to succeed their mentor when Pep leaves because they already know the club so well. But I don’t think it’s going to happen.

‘First, I suspect City will want a manager with experience of winning a major league or European competition. With Hugo Viana due to begin as a new sporting director, they’ll need someone in the hot seat who can attract the stars.

‘Just as importantly, I don’t believe even if they are courted by City either Maresca or Arteta would be prepared at this stage to sacrifice the projects they are building for the awkward challenge of following a legend.

‘The only manager to compare with Guardiola in terms of success, Sir Alex Ferguson, has been impossible to match at Manchester United for more than a decade.’

Former Premier League star Murphy added: ‘From City’s point of view, they will question whether not having Guardiola or Txiki Begiristain in the building would alter their ability to recruit who they want.

‘Though modern players look at other factors besides the manager when choosing their next move, I still think a Zinedine Zidane, Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso or even Vincent Kompany would be able to attract the A-list players better than Maresca.

‘You could also say the same about Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann, who might be available after the 2026 World Cup if Guardiola stays longer.’

Subscribe To ANE Talk Trends On Youtube

Subscribe To All Naija Entertainment On Youtube