Enzo Maresca Favourite to Replace Pep Guardiola at Man City Amid Tottenham Interest as Igor Tudor Named Interim Boss

Enzo Maresca remains a leading candidate to succeed Pep Guardiola as Manchester City boss despite interest from Tottenham as a replacement for Thomas Frank, reports Fabrizio Romano.

Spurs relieved Frank of his duties as head coach on Wednesday morning following a 2-1 loss to Newcastle, a result that leaves the north London side just five points above the relegation zone following a run of just two wins in 17.

Attention quickly turned to the Dane’s replacement in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium dugout with Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto De Zerbi emerging as potential candidates.

Maresca set to turn down Spurs interest

Maresca was another who’d been linked with the vacant Spurs role as reports in Italy suggested that the 46-year-old was on the club’s radar.

However, Maresca is believed to be holding out to eventually succeed Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium helm.

The former Chelsea boss, who left his role as Chelsea head coach on New Year’s Day, guided the Blues to the UEFA Conference League and the Club World Cup during his 18 months at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca part of City's three-man shortlist

Maresca isn’t the only manager linked with City as a potential replacement for Guardiola, with out-of-work Spaniard Xabi Alonso and Como boss Cesc Fabregas believed to feature on a three-man shortlist.

Spurs, meanwhile, confirmed the appointment of Igor Tudor as interim head coach on Saturday afternoon.

“We are pleased to confirm the appointment of Igor Tudor as Men’s Head Coach until the end of the season, subject to work permit,” a statement read on the club’s official website.

'An honour' to join Spurs, says Tudor

Tudor takes over in the capital until the end of the season as Spurs look to beat the drop.

The Croat has been out of work since leaving his role as Juventus head coach in October and has a baptism of fire for his first game in north London with Spurs up against rivals Arsenal next weekend.

And on his appointment, Tudor said: “It is an honour to join this Club at an important moment.

“I understand the responsibility I have been handed and my focus is clear. To bring greater consistency to our performances and compete with conviction in every match.

“There is strong quality in this playing squad, and my job is to organise it, energise it and improve our results quickly.”