Pep Guardiola has said that Enzo Maresca can succeed as head coach at Chelsea but his former assistant needs to be given time.
Maresca worked under Guardiola at Manchester City before achieving success guiding Leicester City back in to the Premier League last season.
That won him the job at Chelsea, who face Man City on Sunday.
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Guardiola said he could claim no part in Maresca’s success, adding that it would continue at Stamford Bridge if Chelsea showed patience with the Italian. In the last two seasons, Chelsea have had four different managers.
“The job Enzo did at Leicester belongs to him and his staff,” Guardiola said. “My influence is zero on Leicester getting promoted again. I didn't score a goal or make any saves. I give info and they learn. It's on both sides and the success of the people together belongs absolutely to them.
"My advice is to give him time and it will work. All managers need time. I don't know if Chelsea is the place to do this, but it will work if they give him time. This is my feeling."
Rodri to rest
Guardiola admitted that having City’s players in action deep into EURO 2024 and Copa America has meant that his squad will not be at 100 per cent for Sunday, ruling out his key midfielder Rodri, who only returned to training last week after winning the Euros with Spain.
"He is in training, I don't know, I haven't seen him yet,” said Guardiola of Rodri. “He feels good. We'll have to see how he feels after training. No chance [on the squad for Sunday].
"What I have learned is that the season is so long. You have to be ready physically and mentally. For that, you need rest. We try to do our best in the condition we were in. The players that are here will have to do their best."
Guardiola confirmed that Oscar Bobb, the young Norwegian winger who had starred in pre-season, was out for “three or four months” after injuring his leg.
Maresca expects tough start
For his part, Maresca admitted that his former boss has an advantage over him, having been at City since 2016.
"Pep is not a manager that is always doing the same," he said. "We’ll be exactly the same. It’ll be a tough game starting against the champions. It’s always a good moment, it’s always an opportunity to show ourselves against the champions.
"They are working with the same manager for eight years and this is a huge advantage. We’re going to try to use all of our game to make ourselves and the fans happy."
Gallagher to miss Sunday
Maresca added that midfielder Conor Gallagher would not be involved on Sunday, amid reports that he will be sold, possibly to Atletico Madrid.
"He’s trying to find a solution with the club," Maresca said. "Unfortunately these kinds of things happen every summer.
"All the clubs during the summer, they have some problems. At the end, you finish with all of them happy, so hopefully Conor’s situation will finish with everyone happy."
