Enzo Maresca is one of the latest names linked with the soon-to-be-vacant Celtic job, as Ange Postecoglou puts the finishing touches to a move to Tottenham Hotspur this week.
The Daily Record and The Scottish Sun have both separately reported that Maresca is high up on the shortlist of potential candidates and a serious contender for the position.
It’s said that Dermot Desmond was left impressed by the Manchester City coach’s interview the last time Celtic were recruiting for a manager in 2021, although Postecoglou obviously earned the right to be named in the dugout.
Enzo Maresca is a wanted man
There are a couple of complications, however. First of all, Celtic aren’t the only club looking at Maresca. Leicester City, who are playing in the English Championship next season, are said to be keen on his services as the long-term replacement for Brendan Rodgers and Dean Smith.
That’s reported by The Telegraph, who also say that any approach for Enzo Maresca would have to officially take place after the upcoming UEFA Champions League final due to his commitments with City. However, as we know due to the Postecoglou situation, a lot of groundwork can take place before a final.
Maresca has long been a highly-rated coach within the City set-up. So much so that he has already been given a management opportunity at Parma. That didn’t end very well, after just 14 matches in 2021, but he is trusted by Pep Guardiola and clearly has talent as a coach.
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Theoretically, Celtic have more pull than Leicester due to guaranteed UEFA Champions League football but there has been no steer on what Maresca’s career intentions are – he may fancy staying in England.
The 43-year-old is just one of a number of names Celtic are looking at and we await further updates on how the search for Postecoglou’s replacement develops.
In other news, Vasilis Barkas publicly confirms his Celtic contract has been terminated one year early.