Everyone thought Maresca was in line to replace Pep. Fans have a new theory that changes EVERYTHING

Fans across English football are convinced they already know where Enzo Maresca will end up next, and surprisingly, most of them do not believe Manchester City will be his next destination. The Italian coach’s sudden exit from Chelsea has opened a fresh storm of debate, rumours, and strong opinions, especially among Manchester United supporters who think the pieces are quietly falling into place for a shock move to Old Trafford.

Enzo Maresca’s departure from Chelsea came as a surprise to many, not just because of the timing but because of how quickly the club acted. Chelsea confirmed the decision with a short and blunt statement, making it clear that the relationship between the club and the Italian coach had reached its end. There was no long goodbye, no emotional message, just a simple confirmation that both parties had agreed to go their separate ways. For a club that often thrives on drama, the silence was loud.

What made the situation even more striking was the timing of the dismissal. Chelsea were just days away from a crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City, a game that many had already described as an unofficial audition for Maresca. Reports had suggested that Manchester City were watching him closely, with Pep Guardiola’s long-term future always a topic of speculation. For some, this match was meant to be Maresca’s moment to show he was ready for the biggest job in English football.

Instead, Chelsea pulled the trigger early.

As soon as the news broke, social media exploded. Fans from different clubs began to debate what Maresca’s next move would be. While Manchester City were the obvious choice for many observers, a growing number of fans were convinced that his future lay elsewhere. Very quickly, Manchester United entered the conversation, and once they did, the rumours took on a life of their own.

Manchester United supporters were among the most vocal. Many of them pointed straight to Jason Wilcox, the club’s technical director, as the key figure behind the speculation. Wilcox and Maresca share a strong working history from their time together at Manchester City, where they developed a professional relationship built on trust and shared ideas about football development. That connection, fans believe, is not a coincidence.

During their time at City, Wilcox served as academy director while Maresca coached the club’s Elite Development Squad. It was a period where Maresca’s reputation as a modern, tactical coach began to grow. Working closely with Pep Guardiola, he absorbed ideas about positional play, pressing, and control, principles that later became visible in his own teams. For many United fans, this background makes Maresca a natural fit for the type of rebuild they believe the club needs.

Jason Wilcox later left Manchester City for Southampton before eventually joining Manchester United as technical director in 2024. Since then, United supporters have watched closely as Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada began reshaping the club’s football structure. To some fans, the pattern is obvious. They believe Wilcox prefers to work with people he knows and trusts, and Maresca fits that description perfectly.

This belief has only grown stronger because of the growing frustration around current United manager Ruben Amorim. Although Amorim arrived with high expectations in November 2024, his time at Old Trafford has been far from convincing. Last season, Manchester United finished a disappointing 15th in the Premier League, a position that still hangs heavily over his reputation. The pain was made worse by defeat in the Europa League final against Tottenham, a result that denied the club a place in the Champions League.

While results have improved slightly this season, United are still well behind their main rivals. Performances have remained inconsistent, and a recent home draw against Wolves only increased the sense of frustration among fans. Many now feel that Amorim is running out of time and that the club’s hierarchy is already preparing for a possible change.

Online, the reaction has been blunt. One supporter wrote that Amorim’s days are numbered and that Wilcox and Berrada would want Maresca. Another fan claimed the pressure on Amorim would now increase, pointing out that both Wilcox and Berrada know Maresca well and would be closely monitoring his availability. Some fans went even further, openly calling for the club to act quickly, arguing that they would accept almost anyone over Amorim at this stage.

There were also more cautious voices, fans who admitted they were not fully convinced by Maresca but still felt he represented a fresh start. For them, the idea of a coach shaped by Guardiola’s philosophy was appealing, especially after years of tactical confusion and false dawns at Old Trafford. The connection to City, once unthinkable for United fans, now feels less important than the need for progress.

What makes the situation even more intriguing is that Manchester City themselves do not appear to be in a rush. Pep Guardiola remains in charge, and while succession planning is always discussed, there is no immediate vacancy at the Etihad. This has led many fans to believe that Maresca will not wait around for a job that may not open soon, especially when another giant club could be ready to move.

Chelsea’s decision to part ways with Maresca has therefore created a rare moment in the market. An experienced coach, trained under Guardiola, familiar with English football, and available immediately. These opportunities do not come often, and fans know it. Manchester United supporters, in particular, sense that this is one of those moments where the club could act decisively or miss out once again.

For now, nothing is confirmed. Maresca has not spoken publicly about his next move, and Manchester United have shown no official sign that Amorim is about to be dismissed. But football rarely waits for official announcements. Momentum builds quietly, opinions harden, and decisions are often made long before fans hear about them.

What is clear is that Enzo Maresca’s name will not disappear from the headlines anytime soon. Whether his next step takes him to Old Trafford, keeps him waiting for Manchester City, or sends him somewhere entirely unexpected, fans are watching every move closely. For Manchester United supporters, the idea is already planted. In their minds, the future might already be knocking, and it speaks with an Italian accent.