Leicester approach highly-rated Man City coach Maresca to be their new manager

Enzo Maresca has held talks with Leicester about becoming their new manager, though Pep Guardiola would like to keep his highly-rated coach at Manchester City.

Leicester have been without a permanent manager since sacking Brendan Rodgers on April 2, with interim boss Dean Smith unable to keep the club in the Premier League during his eight-game stint.

Smith and Scott Parker were among the contenders considered by the Foxes to lead the club back to the top flight, with Maresca’s claims also assessed by the board.

The Italian has been a first-team manager only once - a 14-game spell at Parma in 2021 - but is highly regarded by Guardiola.

He was part of the Catalan’s staff as City completed a Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble, after also taking charge of City’s Under-23s, leading them to a Premier League 2 title in 2021.

Maresca was also on Southampton’s shortlist, with the relegated Saints appointing Russell Martin, while he is said to have attracted interest from Celtic. The Scottish champions appear now to have turned again to Rodgers, who left Glasgow to take the Leicester post four years ago.

Maresca, 43, represents one route for Leicester: the up-and-coming coach with a clear style of play who can improve young players quickly. The other is to move for candidates like Smith and Parker, who have three promotions between them.

Whoever takes the position has a huge job on his hands. Eight players left the club at the end of last season when their contracts ended, while key men like James Maddison and Harvey Barnes will be sold.

Newcastle and Tottenham are interested in both while Barnes has also admirers at West Ham and Aston Villa.