Chelsea gaffer Enzo Maresca has labelled fresh talk connecting him with a return to Manchester City as nothing but hearsay.
The 45-year-old, who once served as Pep Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad, responded to the persistent rumours surrounding his future.
Maresca, appointed Chelsea manager in the summer of 2024, has a contract running through the end of the decade, with a possible extra year available.
"It doesn't bother me at all because I know that is 100% speculation," Maresca stated. "And at this moment, there is little room for these kind of things."
He further elaborated, "First of all, because I have a contract here for several more years. And my attention, I have stated many times, is just about this club and I'm honoured to be here. But again, it's rumour. One week ago I was connected to Juventus in Italy. So I don't pay attention because I know that is not true."
Chelsea, presently placed in fourth position in the Premier League, are scheduled to face Newcastle United on Saturday in a lunchtime kick-off.
Maresca's latest comments come after he referred to a previous 48-hour period as his most difficult since joining Chelsea.
Those initial words had fueled widespread talk of a potential rift between the manager and the club's key decision-makers.
When pressed if he had discussed matters with the club's leadership, Maresca replied, "We are in the same facility, so we talk about different things. But about the post-Everton media session, no."
The manager however affirmed he would definitely stay at the club next season and called on the fans to keep backing the team".
In more positive news, Maresca indicated that injured forwards Liam Delap and Estevao Willian could return ahead of schedule, potentially available for a fixture against Aston Villa later this month.
The perceived disconnect between Maresca and the club's hierarchy remains as an unhealed issue that continues to cause concern.
While there has been no further escalation of the situation in the open, there has also been no resolution forthcoming, leaving the disagreement unresolved.
The mood during the manager's media briefings has grown increasingly strained, raising concerns it could undermine what has up to now been a decent beginning to the campaign.
Chelsea's on-field position is positive: they are fourth in the league, have qualified for the League Cup last four, and can secure a favourable Champions League position with good performances in their final matches.
The lingering question is whether this off-field situation might begin to disrupt a squad that was beginning to appear settled.
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