Celtic legend Johan Mjallby believes Enzo Maresca could be an ‘outstanding coach’ but has reservations about whether Manchester City’s assistant is ready to take over from Ange Postecoglou.
When Postecoglou took over from Neil Lennon in the summer of 2021, he arrived at Celtic on the back of 25 years in management, taking in spells across three different countries.
So when the former Australia boss found himself facing some rather probing questions after a difficult start to his reign, the thick-skinned, straight-talking Postecoglou had the confidence and the experience to know that, sooner rather than later, his methods would translate into results.
Enzo Maresca, in contrast, has taken in only 14 games as a first-team manager. And he lost over a third of them; sacked just three months into the 2021/22 campaign during a short-lived spell at Parma.
Maresca’s reputation is largely based around his excellent work behind the scenes at Manchester City; Pep Guardiola describing the 43-year-old Italian as an ‘extraordinary’ talent. He was also part of the coaching staff which guided City to the treble; beating Inter Milan in Saturday’s Champions League final.
But while Guardiola might have been right about Mikel Arteta – who also worked as his assistant before going solo at Arsenal – Mjallby has concerns about whether Maresca has the requisite nous to survive the unforgiving glare of the Glasgow goldfish bowl.
Is Enzo Maresca the right manager for Celtic?
“Maresca? He is going to be an outstanding coach as the understudy to Pep Guardiola. The thing is though; is he a manager? It’s a different role,” Mjallby tells The Sun.
“Celtic is a massive club. And it needs to be a guy that can handle the pressure that comes with this job.”
Celtic, per the Daily Record, are also in talks with 34-year-old Francesco Farioli. Former Sweden international Mjallby, however, would prefer to see his old employers put their faith in either Kjetil Knutsen or Graham Potter. Two men Mjallby is very familiar with following their excellent work at Bodo/Glimt and Ostersunds respectively.
“I would go for Knutsen or Potter,” Mjallby adds. “I have followed Bodo/Glimt a lot in the last few years and they play similar football to Celtic. Knutsen has been there for a few years, and he would have the experience to take the job.
“Potter would be a good fit as well. He has good experience and unfortunately the Chelsea job didn’t go as well as we all thought.
“But he is a very good coach and creates a good atmosphere at clubs.”
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