Chelsea Manager Maresca Dismisses Man City Links as '100%' Rumour
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has labelled fresh reports linking him with a return to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay.
The 45-year-old, who previously worked as Pep Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad, addressed the persistent speculation surrounding his next move.
Maresca, named Chelsea manager in June 2024, has a contract that runs until 2029, with a potential extra year available.
"It doesn't bother me at all because I know that is completely unfounded," Maresca said. "And at this moment, there is little room for these kind of things."
He went on to explain, Primarily, because I have a contract here until 2029. And my focus, I said many times, is solely on this club and I'm honoured to be here. But again, it's rumour. One week ago I was connected to a role in Italy with Juventus. So I don't pay attention because I know that is not true."
Chelsea, presently placed in fourth position in the Premier League, are scheduled to face Newcastle United this Saturday in a 12:30 GMT fixture.
Strain Following Previous Remarks
Maresca's most recent comments follow after he referred to a previous two-day spell as his most difficult since joining Chelsea.
Those initial remarks had sparked widespread talk of a possible disagreement between the coach and the club's key decision-makers.
When pressed if he had discussed matters with the club's leadership, Maresca responded, "We are in the same building, so we speak about different things. But about the post-Everton media session, no."
The Italian however affirmed he would "absolutely" remain at the club for the coming campaign and urged the fans to "continue to support the team".
In more positive news, Maresca revealed that sidelined forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could return sooner than expected, potentially available for a fixture against Aston Villa on 27 December.
Analysis: Unresolved Tension
The perceived disconnect between Maresca and the Chelsea board persists as an open wound that continues to create unease.
While there has been no further escalation of the matter in the open, there has equally been no apology offered, creating the disagreement unresolved.
The mood during these press conferences has grown increasingly strained, leading to fears it could impact what has otherwise been a promising beginning to the campaign.
Chelsea's on-field situation is strong: they are in the top four in the league, have reached the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and can secure a better Champions League draw with strong results in their final matches.
The prevailing question is whether this behind-the-scenes situation might eventually affect a team that was just starting to appear cohesive.
