Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has firmly dismissed speculation linking him with a potential return to Manchester City, insisting his full focus has remained on his current job at Stamford Bridge.
Reports in recent days had suggested Manchester City were considering Maresca as a future option should Pep Guardiola leave at the end of the season.
The Italian previously worked under Guardiola as an assistant and also coached City’s Under-23 side before moving into senior management with Leicester City and later Chelsea.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s upcoming Premier League fixture against Newcastle United, Maresca made it clear the rumours had not distracted him.
“It doesn’t affect me at all,” Maresca said. “I know it is one hundred percent speculation and, in this moment, there is no time for these things.”
Maresca, who signed a long-term deal when he arrived at Chelsea, underlined his commitment to the club and stressed that outside noise had not influenced his day-to-day work.
“I have a contract here until 2029 and my focus is about this club,” he said. “I’m very proud to be here. It’s speculation. One week ago, it was the same with Juventus, so I don’t pay attention.”
The Chelsea coach also pointed to the timing of the reports, suggesting they were part of the regular cycle of football rumours rather than anything concrete.
“Again, it’s just speculation,” Maresca said. “It’s important to understand the reason why this news was there, but it’s not my job. I don’t care at all and the focus is on the Newcastle game.”
