Pep Guardiola is reportedly set to leave Man City at the end of the season, and the leading name to take over at Etihad has emerged.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Enzo Maresca is the leading candidate to become Manchester City 's new head coach should Pep Guardiola decide to leave at the end of the season.
“ Enzo Maresca is the strongest candidate if Pep Guardiola decides to leave ,” Romano asserted confidently, adding that “ despite the reports about Kompany .”
The reason Romano mentioned Kompany is because a few days ago Sky Germany reported that Manchester City's leadership was seriously considering bringing their former captain, Vincent Kompany, back to Etihad as head coach, replacing his mentor.
Sources further indicate that Man City still wants Pep Guardiola to continue managing the team, but will let him decide his own future.
The 55-year-old manager's choice remains unclear, but there is growing speculation that Pep may be considering a change of environment and pursuing new projects.
After a trophyless season last year, Man City were also eliminated by Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 this year, and have virtually no chance left in the Premier League – currently 9 points behind Arsenal, despite having played one fewer game, based on their current form.
However, he and his players have just won the English League Cup – beating Arsenal 2-0. Man City have a chance to win another trophy – the FA Cup, where they are set to face Liverpool in the quarter-finals.
According to Defensa, if Pep Guardiola leaves and Maresca rejects their offer, then the club's leadership will consider other options, including Xabi Alonso and Jurgen Klopp, who has previously stated that after Liverpool he would not manage another Premier League club.