Pep’s ex-assistant explains why he picked Leicester manager’s job over Celtic

Enzo Maresca has revealed why he chose to take over at Leicester City while being considered for the Celtic job.

The 43-year-old was one of the main contenders to become Celtic’s new manager after Ange Postecoglou was poached by Tottenham. Postecoglou signed a four-year deal with Spurs fater leading Celtic to the domestic treble last season.

Football.scotland reports that Celtic chief Dermot Desmond always wanted Brendan Rodgers to replace Postecoglou and the Northern Irishman's return to Glasgow was confirmed a fortnight ago. Around the same time, Maresca agreed a move to Leicester, who are gearing up for life in the Championship after their relegation from the top flight.

Maresca had been working as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistant coaches at Manchester City. He returned to Guardiola’s side in 2022 seven months after a short spell in charge of Parma in Italy, having previously managed the Premier League champions' development squad.

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At his first press conference, Maresca was asked why he decided to take on the challenge with Leicester instead of pursuing other opportunities elsewhere. He said: “It’s an unbelievable club.

“Personally for me it’s been difficult. Since I joined Man City, we felt part of the family there. But professionally, I had no doubts. Leicester is an important club, a Premier League club. But the reality is that we are a Championship club, and we have to adapt.”

Celtic have been used to fast-flowing attacking football in recent years and fans hoped when Postecoglou left that something similar would continue under the new manager.

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Maresca was asked what his style of play is like, to which he replied: “To have the ball. When they were learning the game, they were looking for a ball to play with. So we will try to have the ball as much as possible.

"They enjoy having the ball, not running after the opponent. We have to adapt. Leicester is different in the Championship to Premier League. Every team wants to take points off us, because we are Leicester, because we are for them, the most important team in the Championship. I saw this with Man City. Every team wants to get points against them. We have to be ready for that.”

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