Maresca is not an outsider learning the club from a distance. He knows the building, the methods and the demands.
That matters. Replacing Guardiola is not only about tactics. It is about handling a club built to dominate possession, control games and compete for major trophies every season. Maresca appears to fit that profile more naturally than a coach starting from scratch.
The complication is obvious: Maresca’s most recent spell did not end cleanly.
The update says his time at Chelsea finished on 1 January 2026, with the club sitting fifth in the Premier League and well off the leaders after a poor run of league form. Reports also suggest there had been strain in his relationship with key figures at the club.
That does not erase the positives. His start at Stamford Bridge was promising, and the silverware on his record strengthens his case. But it does mean City would be hiring a coach whose reputation is rising and wobbling at the same time.
If Guardiola is nearing the end of a 10-year era, City cannot afford drift. Reports suggest the squad has already been refreshed, while other names are being linked with exits and further transfer moves. The next manager may inherit quality, but also immediate pressure.
That is why the Aston Villa game feels significant beyond the table. The next result matters, but the next decision may matter more. If the noise around Maresca keeps growing, the succession story will only get louder from here.