Celtic 'intensify Enzo Maresca pursuit after Ange Postecoglou departure'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 06 June 2023

Celtic 'intensify Maresca pursuit after Postecoglou departure'

Celtic reportedly intensify their pursuit of Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca following the departure of manager Ange Postecoglou to Tottenham Hotspur.

Celtic have reportedly stepped their pursuit of Manchester City assistant coach Enzo Maresca following the departure of manager Ange Postecoglou to Tottenham Hotspur.

It was confirmed on Tuesday morning that Postecoglou's trophy-laden two-year reign at Parkhead had come to an end, with the Australian opting to test himself in the Premier League with Spurs.

Celtic have revealed that the process of appointing their next manager is already underway and they aim to announce Postecoglou's successor "as soon as possible".

The Scottish Premiership champions have already been linked with a number of names to replace Postecoglou, including former Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers and former Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch.

However, Football Scotland reports that Celtic have intensified their pursuit of Man City coach Mareaca, with the Citizens braced to receive an official approach from the Glaswegian giants.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates their third goal with assistant manager Rodolfo Borrell and coach Enzo Maresca on May 14, 2023 © Reuters

The report adds that the 43-year-old was previously on Celtic's radar and was interviewed for the managerial vacancy before they decided to appoint Postecoglou in the summer of 2021.

The Hoops are said to have continued to track the progress of Maresca during his time as part of Pep Guardiola's backroom staff at Man City, and they are keen to hold talks with the Italian for a second time.

It is understood that Celtic will make 'tentative contact' with Maresca this week with a view to holding further talks after Man City's Champions League final against Inter Milan in Istanbul on Saturday.

Maresca allegedly turned down an approach from Southampton a few weeks ago, with the Saints, who will be competing in the Championship next season, on the lookout for a new manager to replace Ruben Selles.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola sat alongside assistant coaches Rodolfo Borrell and Enzo Maresca before the match on August 31, 2022 © Reuters

Following a spell as an assistant coach to Manuel Pellegrini at West Ham United, Maresca spent just under a year in charge of Man City's Under-23s side in the 2020-21 campaign and successfully led the academy team to their first-ever Premier League 2 title.

The Italian then returned to his homeland for a brief stint in charge of Parma, where he managed just 13 Serie B games before returning to Man City in June 2022 to link up with Guardiola's first-team coaching staff.

Maresca was appointed as an assistant coach to Guardiola following the departure of Juanma Lillo, and he is currently a key member of the Citizens coaching group who are on the cusp of leading their team to greatness as they chase down a historic treble having already won the Premier League and FA Cup this season.

During his playing days, Maresca won the 2001-02 Serie A title with Juventus and trained with the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Alessandro Del Piero and Edgar Davids, while he also won back-to-back UEFA Cups with Sevilla in 2005-06 and 2006-07.

Leicester City have also been credited with an interest in Maresca as they continue to search for a successor to interim boss Dean Smith.