Pep Guardiola is left speechless with his priceless reaction after learning the nickname of Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was left baffled when asked by talkSPORT what he thought about Enzo Maresca's nickname.
The Spaniard will face his former protégé at Ohio Stadium later on Saturday when his The citizens The team faces Chelsea.
3
It will be the 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 guiding the Foxes to an instant return to the Premier League by winning the championship, Chelsea came calling in his search to replace Mauricio Pochettino.
Maresca is one of several GuardiolaThe disciples who are making their way into management, with Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso, Xavi and Vincent Kompamy all impressing.
Regularly compared to the former Barcelona manager, the Italian has been affectionately nicknamed 'Diet Pep' due to the similarities in their playing style.
However, when asked about the nickname by talkSPORT's Ben Jacobs in his pre-match press conference, Guardiola joked that it must be down to their physical similarities.
Initially taken aback by the nickname, the 53-year-old replied: “Diet?”, before turning to his press officer for clarification.
Explaining the meaning of his nickname, he said: “Like you, but not exactly you.”
It was at that moment that Guardiola leaned back in his chair in what was an invaluable reaction, provoking laughter among the journalists present.
He then joked that this is just a result of both of them being bald and having facial hair, quipping, “It's because of the hair (touching his head)… it's because of the beard.”
Guardiola then heaped praise on Maresca's qualities, insisting it is a question of when, not if, he will win major trophies.
3
The former Bayern Munich coach commented: “I am very happy, we have had a special year together (treble-winning season 2022/23).
“But when we were together in the second team, he and his family were amazing, lovely people.
“He did a great job, unbelievable, at Leicester, getting promoted to the Premier League and now being in one of the top five or six teams in England and I wish him all the best because he deserves it.
“Good people deserve the best and as a manager, the most important thing to be a manager is to believe in something deeply, but deeply, deeply, whatever the outcome, stick with my idea.
“That's why he believes in what he does and he will be successful. I don't know for how long, but he will be successful.”
