Leicester City and Celtic on course for managerial battle over Manchester City coach

Manchester City look set to be at the centre of a battle between Leicester City and Celtic, as both clubs seek a new name to lead their respective squads from next season.

Following Arsenal’s successful pursuit of Mikel Arteta from Manchester City during the 2019/20 season, and the transformative effect that the Spaniard has had on the Emirates Stadium, a number of clubs are keeping a close eye on those working around Pep Guardiola.

Former City captain Vincent Kompany – who spent several years working closely under the club’s Catalan coach – has since gone on to become a huge hit in the managerial scene himself, guiding Burnley to the Premier League in a 100-point Championship season.

Now, it seems as though a number of other clubs who could be in search of a new manager themselves in the coming days and weeks have taken their search to the Etihad Stadium, with Enzo Maresca the man in-demand.

After first being involved with Manchester City in the 2020/21 season, when he guided the club’s Elite Development Squad to the first Premier League 2 title in the organisation’s history, Maresca took up the lead managerial role at Parma in Italy.

Returning to Manchester prior to the ongoing campaign, Enzo Maresca took on the role of assistant coach, working closely with Pep Guardiola and contributing to the club’s success in the Premier League, Emirates FA Cup and UEFA Champions League.

As a direct result, Leicester City and Celtic could be on the verge of formalising admiration for the coach.

According to the information of The Telegraph, Enzo Maresca has now emerged as a potential target for the Foxes – who recently fell to relegation from England’s top-flight and now face a battle in the Championship next season.

Southampton have also reportedly held an interest in the 43 year-old, but he had been concentrating purely on his commitments at Manchester City, while Leicester themselves will have to wait until after the Champions League final before opening any form of dialogue.

Elsewhere, Scottish Premier League giants Celtic have also identified Maresca as a potential candidate for their top job, with current coach Ange Postecoglou on the verge of taking over as Tottenham Hotspur’s manager.

That is according to the Daily Record, who report this week that while Brendan Rodgers is their number one choice to take over at Parkhead, Enzo Maresca would be their second-favourite for the position, having got the backing of officials within the club.

For now, Manchester City and Enzo Maresca in particular will have no time at all to think about anything beyond this week, with the full focus of everyone within the football club on the Champions League final this weekend.

City are due to make the journey to Istanbul, Turkey on Thursday afternoon, ahead of their European heavyweight clash with Italian giants Inter at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium on Saturday night.

Victory in Europe’s premier club competition would be City’s first in the club’s history, and also cap off a truly special season which has already seen them claim the Premier League title and Emirates FA Cup – ahead of bitter rivals Manchester United.