Pep Guardiola left speechless in priceless reaction after finding out Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca's nickname
08/03/2024 06:11 AM
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was left stumped by talkSPORT when asked for his thoughts on Enzo Maresca’s nickname.
The Spaniard faces his former protégé at the Ohio Stadium later on Saturday when his Citizens side take on Chelsea.
It will be a first meeting between the two since Maresca left his role as one of Guardiola’s assistants at the Etihad in 2023 to take charge of Leicester.
And after he guided the Foxes to an instant return to the Premier League by winning the Championship, Chelsea came calling in their quest to replace Mauricio Pochettino.
Maresca is one of a number of Guardiola‘s disciples that are making their way in management, with Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso, Xavi and Vincent Kompamy all impressing.
Regularly likened to the ex-Barcelona manager, the Italian has been affectionately dubbed as the ‘Diet Pep’ due to the similarities of their playing style.
When asked about the nickname in his pre-match press conference by talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs though, Guardiola joked it must be due to their physical similarities.
Initially left stunned by the nickname, the 53-year-old replied, ‘Diet?’, before turning to his press officer for clarfication.
Explaining what the nickname means, he said: “Like you, but not quite you.”
It was at that point where Guardiola then leaned back in his chair in what was a priceless reaction, leading to laughter from the reporters in attendance.
He then joked that it’s only as a result of the pair both being bald with facial hair, as he quipped: “It’s for the hair [touching his head]… it’s for the beard.”
Guardiola then waxed lyrical over Maresca’s qualities, insisting it’s a matter of when, and not if, he scoops major pieces of silverware.
The former Bayern Munich boss remarked: “I’m really pleased, we spent a special year together [2022/23 treble-winning season].
“But when we were in the second team together, he’s an incredible, lovely person, him and his family.
“He made a really good job, unbelievable, at Leicester, promoting to the Premier League and now being at one of the top five or six teams in England and I wish him all the best because he deserves it.
“Nice people deserve the best and as a manager, the most important thing to be a manager is to believe something deeply, but deeply, deeply, whatever result, stick with my idea.
“That’s why he believes in what he does and will have success. I don’t know how long, but he will have it.”
