“Don’t believe the narratives on Guardiola” — Maresca warns

Amid mounting criticism of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca has delivered a firm defense of his former boss, dismissing claims that the four-time Premier League-winning coach is “finished.”

Guardiola, widely regarded as one of football’s greatest tacticians, is enduring an uncharacteristic slump with City sitting seventh in the table after 17 matches—a position that has sparked whispers of decline.

The defending champions trail Nottingham Forest in fourth by four points and are a point behind fifth-placed Bournemouth.

Maresca, who worked under Guardiola during City’s recent era of dominance, laughed off the naysayers in a recent press conference.

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“It makes me laugh when critics claim Pep is finished,” Maresca said, brushing aside the premature obituaries. “I spoke to Pep… he is completely calm and knows exactly what has happened.”

“If you are involved in football, you can see the amount of injuries they have—this is not normal,” he added, attributing City’s struggles to an unprecedented injury crisis rather than tactical failings.

Maresca emphasized Guardiola’s ability to bounce back, highlighting his track record of success even in the face of adversity.

“People forget too quickly,” Maresca said. “This is the man who has redefined how the game is played, not someone who crumbles after a rough patch.”