Pep Guardiola has urged Chelsea to be patient with new head coach Enzo Maresca as he prepares to reunite with the Italian this weekend.
Guardiola will face off against his former assistant as Manchester City travel to face Chelsea on the opening weekend of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
Maresca worked on Guardiola’s coaching staff at the Etihad before leaving for Leicester last summer. After leading the Foxes to promotion to the Premier League, Maresca was named Chelsea manager in the summer after Mauricio Pochettino’s exit from Stamford Bridge.
Ahead of the clash, Guardiola said he was looking forward to seeing Maresca again and said Chelsea must give the 44-year-old time to implement his ideas on the squad. Maresca is Chelsea’s fourth permanent managerial appointment since the club’s takeover by Todd Boehly and Clearlake capital in May 2022.
“Happy to see him again, we saw him a few weeks ago in the States and we’re looking forward to it again,” Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference.
“The job Enzo did at Leicester belongs to him and his staff. My influence is zero on Leicester getting promoted again. I didn’t score a goal or make any saves. I give info and they learn. It’s on both sides and the success of the people together belongs absolutely to them.
“My advice is to give him time and it will work. All managers need time. I don’t know if Chelsea is the place to do this, but it will work if they give him time. This is my feeling.”
Manchester City team news
Pep Guardiola will be without Rodri for this weekend’s game after his late return from the summer’s break. The 28-year-old is one of several City players who featured in the Euro 2024 final, alongside Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden.
That quartet only returned to training earlier this week and Guardiola was asked whether his squad were ready for the opening weekend.
“We prioritise the rest,” he said.
“I would love to give more time but it is what it is. I demand the best on Sunday against Chelsea. When the players are fitter and better, they have to be better.
“We have to [be ready]. I don’t know what will happen. Everyone knows we aren’t in the best condition but we have a desire to do well. I think there are a lot of teams right now that aren’t perfect.
“What I have learned is that the season is so long. You have to be ready physically and mentally. For that, you need rest. We try to do our best in the condition we were in. The players that are here will have to do their best.”
