Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has encouraged Chelsea to give their new head coach Enzo Maresca enough time to make his mark at Stamford Bridge.
At the beginning of June, Maresca became the fourth permanent managerial appointment at Chelsea under the ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, following the mutual decision to part ways with Mauricio Pochettino at the end of last season.
Maresca has since overseen the arrival of 10 new signings this summer, with more expected to follow, and won just one of his six matches in charge of the Blues in pre-season.
The 44-year-old is relatively new to the managerial scene at first-team level, having previously managed Parma for just 14 games before winning the Championship title in charge of Leicester City last season in his one and only year at the club.
Before joining Leicester, Maresca spent time as a youth team coach at Man City, before becoming a first-team assistant under current boss Guardiola.
Both managers will reunite on Sunday as Man City travel to Stamford Bridge to lock horns with Chelsea for their opening Premier League game of the 2024-25 season.
© Imago
Guardiola: 'Chelsea must give Maresca time'
Guardiola was full of praise for Maresca during a pre-match press conference on Friday and has advised Chelsea to stick with the Italian through thick and thin, even if the Blues endure a rocky start to the new campaign.
"Yeah, we are happy to see him again. I saw him a few weeks ago in the States and we are looking forward to seeing him again," Guardiola told reporters.
"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 (to Chelsea) 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."
© Imago
Guardiola 'demanding the best' from Man City against Chelsea
Guardiola's men enter the new season after winning a record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title in the previous campaign, finishing a whopping 28 points clear of Chelsea in sixth.
With the Citizens eyeing up a fifth successive top-flight title, Guardiola has insisted that his players must hit the ground running if they wish to preserve their place at the summit of English football.
"We prioritise the rest, absolutely. I would love to give even more time, but it is what it is," said the Catalan coach. "I demand the best from Sunday against Chelsea.
"We know we have to take points as soon as possible and when the players are fitter and better physical condition, they have to be ready.
"I don't know what will happen. Everyone knows we are not in the best conditions but it doesn't matter, the desire and trying to do well and here control absolutely everything of luck. The vibes of the team is strong and all together doing what you have to do.
"I don't think there are a lot of teams who right now are perfect. I am pretty sure I learned from my experience in many years that the season is so long. It is important that the players are ready mentally especially and for that they need rest."
Man City faced Chelsea in their final match of pre-season on their tour of the United States earlier this month, winning by a 4-2 scoreline thanks to a hat-trick from striker Erling Haaland.
Oliver Thomas
