Enzo Maresca edging towards the Manchester City job is another reminder that Celtic were far closer than many realised to landing one of Europe’s most highly-rated young coaches.
Reports claim Maresca is set to sign a three-year deal to succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, although the appointment has not yet been officially confirmed.
For Celtic supporters, it immediately brings back memories of summer 2023 when Maresca emerged as a serious contender for the Celtic job in 2021 before Ange Postecoglou’s appointment.
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Celtic saw something in Enzo Maresca many doubted
At the time, plenty of supporters questioned whether Maresca had enough experience for a club the size of Celtic.
His failed spell at Parma was repeatedly used against him and there was understandable concern about replacing Postecoglou with another coach still trying to establish himself.
But Celtic’s interest was never random.
Maresca had already built a strong reputation inside Manchester City and Guardiola openly compared him to Mikel Arteta when discussing his coaching potential.
His possession-heavy tactical approach also made him look like a natural continuation from the football Postecoglou had introduced at Parkhead.
Celtic now look smart for pursuing Maresca
Since those Celtic links, Maresca has won a Championship title with Leicester, managed in the Champions League and won trophies at Chelsea.
Now Manchester City are preparing to trust him with arguably the biggest managerial succession in modern football.
That does not mean Celtic got it wrong by bringing Brendan Rodgers back. Rodgers delivered silverware and stability.
But it absolutely changes the way people should view the club’s pursuit of Maresca in 2023.
Celtic identified an elite coaching talent long before much of the wider football world fully caught up.
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