Enzo Maresca, the new Chelsea manager, is no stranger to comparisons with Pep Guardiola. Having served as Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, Maresca has been dubbed “Pep 2.0” or “Diet Pep.” While he acknowledges the similarities, Maresca is quick to assert his own style of management.
During an interview at the St. Regis Hotel in Atlanta, Maresca admits that the one glaring similarity between him and Guardiola is their physical appearance. He humorously points to the reporter and says he would love to have more hair, much to his wife’s delight. However, he emphasizes that despite the comparisons, he has his own approach and ideas.
Maresca credits Guardiola for inspiring him to pursue a career in coaching. He fell in love with Guardiola’s possession-based attacking style of play during his time at Barcelona. This philosophy has influenced his own managerial approach, which is why he now finds himself at Chelsea.
After a successful stint with Leicester City, where he won the Championship in his first season as a manager in English football, Maresca caught the attention of several top Premier League clubs. He reveals that Chelsea and another important club approached him, but he ultimately chose Chelsea because of their aggressive approach and clear vision.
However, Maresca cautions potential employers not to expect an exact replication of Guardiola’s football. He explains that the style of play depends on the players and the understanding they have of the tactics. While he shares a similar ideology with Guardiola, he emphasizes that he is not trying to copy him.
Maresca draws inspiration from other managers as well, particularly Carlo Ancelotti and Manuel Pellegrini, who have influenced his man-management style. He also shares a connection with former Chelsea and Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri and recalls his time at West Brom, where he was driven to training by Graham Potter.
Maresca is excited about the young squad at Chelsea and believes they are well-suited to his style of play. However, he acknowledges that it will take time and patience for the players to fully grasp his concepts.
As the pre-season tour progresses, Maresca has been working hard with the squad, but there have also been lighter moments, such as initiation songs for new arrivals. He jokingly mentions that managers are exempt from this tradition.
When it comes to celebrating success, Maresca shares a love for cigars, particularly Partagas, which reminds him of his family. Just like Guardiola, he may celebrate with a Partagas No2 Cuban cigar if Chelsea were to win a trophy.
In conclusion, Enzo Maresca embraces the comparisons to Guardiola but emphasizes his own style of management. He brings a unique approach to Chelsea and is determined to make an impact with the squad. While inspired by Guardiola, Maresca is not trying to replicate his every move. Instead, he aims to adapt his tactics to suit the players he has at his disposal. With time and patience, Maresca believes that Chelsea can achieve success under his guidance.