Former Liverpool and England midfielder Danny Murphy believes that Enzo Maresca has not yet done enough to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Guardiola is rumoured to be leaving the Etihad this summer, and former Leicester City and Chelsea manager Maresca has been touted as the next coach to take over.
Murphy warns against Maresca appointment
During an exclusive interview with BestBettingSites.co.uk, Murphy said: “I don’t necessarily think that would be good for [Man] City. I still think he’s in the infancy of his managerial journey.
“He was fortunate to get the Chelsea job from Leicester, thrust into a huge football club, and he did alright.
“He had some success, the team played okay, won a couple of trophies, players progressed, but his fragility and inability to deal with the enormity of the situation were there for all to see.
“Speaking out about the owners, some of the stories you hear about what went on behind the scenes – that’s fine because managers, like players, learn on the job.
“But to then be thrust into Manchester City, a club that expects to win leagues and Champions Leagues every season, competing at the elite level with superstars in the squad, I think there are better candidates.
“Any manager worth his salt would win games at Manchester City, but there’s a difference between winning games and winning the biggest trophies.
“Regardless of Maresca’s history at City, I don’t think that would be a good appointment.”
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Cole Palmer to replace Fernandes?
Still at Chelsea is Cole Palmer, and while Murphy thinks the Blues will be able to keep hold of Palmer for next season, he sees him as a logical replacement for Bruno Fernandes amid rumours the England player would be willing to join Manchester United.
When asked if Chelsea need to qualify for the Champions League to keep hold of Cole Palmer, Murphy added: “No, because they’ve got him under a long-term contract, so they can keep him either way.
“But qualifying for the Champions League would make it much easier to quieten the noise around other clubs trying to get him.
“It would definitely help. This season hasn’t been as fruitful as he’d like because of injuries and getting back to form.
“He’s had this nagging thigh or groin problem, whatever it is, but he’s a special player.
“The way football works, if you’re a player of that quality and you’ve always had a love for a particular club, it’s not a huge stretch to imagine things lining up – especially if United were to go on a run.
“A lot of Chelsea fans think the club is more of a business than a football project, so could I see Cole Palmer leaving for Manchester United? Yes, I could.
“I wouldn’t want it to happen, but I could see it. Bruno Fernandes needs a successor. He’ll get through the groin problem. He’ll be fine.”
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SportJustSport writers