Enzo Maresca press conference LIVE Rodri latest and transfer updates as Man City unveil new head coach
Enzo Maresca press conference LIVE Rodri latest and transfer updates as Man City unveil new head coach
Enzo Maresca will address the media for the first time as Manchester City head coach this afternoon
Enzo Maresca will conduct his first press conference as Manchester City head coach this afternoon.
Maresca was identified as City’s preferred replacement for Pep Guardiola once the legendary manager had decided to leave at the end of last season. The Italian left Chelsea at the start of the year with the City job in mind. However, lengthy negotiations with Chelsea regarding compensation prevented a quick appointment.
Maresca was eventually appointed at the end of June and welcomed a mixture of first-team and academy players back to training on Monday.
City jet off on their pre-season tour next week and ahead of that trip Maresca will be quizzed on a number of topics at his first press conference. The futures of Rodri and Jack Grealish could both be on the agenda, as well as his thoughts on replacing the most successful manager in City’s history.
Pep Guardiola makes Italy job decision as England learn demands from Man City icon
The former Manchester City boss has been in talks over taking over as Italy manager
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Pep Guardiola has been in talks over taking the Italy job. (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA, Getty Images)
Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola now looks unlikely to take the Italy national team job, with the two parties reportedly apart on salary demands. Guardiola has been in talks with the FIGC about the role following Italy’s failure to qualify for this summer’s World Cup finals.
Guardiola has been out of work since ending his 10-year trophy-laden spell at the Etihad Stadium back in May. The 55-year-old is now back in Barcelona with his family and has been replaced at City by former assistant manager Enzo Maresca.
He was a key target for Italy, but Gazzetta dello Sport reports that a difference in Guardiola’s €20 million (£17m) a-year salary demands and the €10 mllion (£8.5m) that Italy are willing to offer, makes the move ‘difficult’. It could therefore open the door for him to take another job, with him expressing a desire to work as a national team manager.
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To get it, it’s a simple one-two punch.
The former City and Barcelona manager is also reportedly apprehensive about the commitment demanded by the role, having pledged to his family he would dedicate more time to them. Guardiola is known for giving full commitment to a job when he is involved.
The Catalan coach currently remains part of City Football Group in an advisory role for the likes of Palermo, Lommel and Troyes. The Manchester Evening News understands that the job prevents him from taking another coaching position, though it is believed City’s owners would be unlikely to stand in his way.
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Speaking earlier this week, FIGC president Giovanni Malago alluded to a financial gap in negotiations with Guardiola. “There are certain financial aspects to be considered, and it’s an understatement to say we’d have to grit our teeth for this,” he said in an interview with the Italian media.
“Some exceptions have been made, for example, exceptions that regard the name making such waves at the moment: Pep Guardiola. I don’t need to sit here and explain the obvious reasons why he’d be an exception, but that is also no guarantee that this will go through.”
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Pep Guardiola left Man City back in May(Image: Lewis Storey, Getty Images)
The English FA could be monitoring developments closely, given their long-standing interest in appointing Guardiola as England manager.
Thomas Tuchel is currently occupying the role, and despite mounting pressure for his removal following the World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, the FA is anticipated to maintain their backing of the German.
There are, however, suggestions that a thorough review of the squad’s World Cup campaign, in which they ultimately claimed third place, will be carried out once the dust has settled.
England’s focus now shifts to Euro 2028, which they are jointly hosting alongside Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland. The Three Lions have reached the final in each of the last two European Championships, but will be determined to go one better on home soil this time round.
It has previously been reported that Guardiola had reached a verbal agreement to take charge of England following Gareth Southgate’s departure. However, the Catalan tactician had a dramatic change of mind and opted to remain at City for a further two years.
