Enzo Maresca has only just left Manchester City to become Leicester manager, but already he wants to poach one of Pep Guardiola’s young talents.
Maresca was one of Guardiola’s assistant coaches last season as City won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
But after completing a historic treble, the Italian coach decided the time was right to reignite his managerial career.
After one season in the City dugout, Maresca agreed to become the new manager of Leicester City, replacing Brendan Rodgers.
The 43-year-old was previously City’s EDS manager, but left that role in 2021 to take charge at Italian club Parma.
He lasted just 14 games though, and returned to City last summer to join Guardiola’s coaching staff.
Maresca signed a three-year contract with newly relegated Leicester, and he has wasted no time in plotting the Foxes’ return to the Premier League.
After losing the likes of James Maddison, Youri Tielemans and Caglar Soyuncu, Leicester have brought in Premier League experience in the shape of Conor Coady and Harry Winks.
Maresca wants City’s Callum Doyle
In a bid to further strengthen a defence that shipped 68 goals last season, Maresca has set his sights on City youngster Callum Doyle.
The Athletic have reported that Leicester are exploring a permanent move for the player, who City value at between £7m and £10m.
The 19-year-old has never made a senior appearance for City, but has impressed on loan at Sunderland and Coventry in recent seasons.
Doyle made 47 appearances in all competitions for Coventry last season, including in the Championship play-off final defeat to Luton.
Shared history
Thanks to his stint as City EDS boss, Maresca has witnessed first-hand what Doyle would bring to his side.
It was Maresca who handed Doyle his EDS debut in 2020/21, the defender going on to make 14 appearances that season.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given his links to Guardiola, Maresca wants his Leicester team to play a fluid, possession-based game.
Doyle is an exceptional ball-playing centre-back so fits the bill perfectly.
