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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Guardiola confused by nickname</li><li>Believes comparison revolves around baldness</li><li>Both clubs aiming for Premier League success</li></ul>

Pep Guardiola left speechless by nickname for new Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca as Man City chief attributes comparison to baldness

Premier League

Leicester

Chelsea

Manchester City

Tottenham

The City boss was asked about Maresca's nickname of 'Diet Pep' as the two clubs prepare to go head to head in a pre-season friendly. The match has added stakes because the sides will play each other in the first game of their respective Premier League campaigns, with this fixture offering both a preview of their rivals' tactics.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Maresca was appointed following Mauricio Pochettino's departure but has somewhat struggled through pre-season; <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/enzo-maresca-has-work-to-do-winners-and-losers-as-chelsea-turn-in-sloppy-performance-against-wrexham-in-new-boss-first-contest/blta7f3f2de8b84ffb3" target="_blank">the Blues have drawn with Wrexham</a> and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/enzo-maresca-winners-and-losers-as-terrible-chelsea-thumped-4-1-by-celtic-in-disgraceful-pre-season-display/blt0e1b425591062a5a" target="_blank">been thumped by Celtic</a>, while also recording a comfortable win over Club America. Guardiola, perhaps as a result of those performances, believes the nickname stems from the fact they are both bald.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Per Hayters, the City boss was asked about Maresca's nickname and replied: "Diet?!"His press officer explained: "Like you, but not quite you."Guardiola laughed and replied: "It's for the hair... it's for the beard."Guardiola and Maresca have worked together at City, with the latter first coaching the Elite Development Squad and later being appointed to the club's backroom team.The Catalan added: "I'm really pleased, we spent a special year together but when we were in the second team together, he's an incredible, lovely person, him and his family. He made a really good job, unbelievable, at Leicester, promoting to the Premier League and now being at one of the top five or six teams in England and I wish him all the best because he deserves it. Nice people deserve the best and as a manager, the most important thing to be a manager is to believe something deeply, but deeply, deeply, whatever result, stick with my idea, that's why he believes in what he does and will have success. I don't know how long but he will have it."

WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

The two sides clash in the United States on Saturday. Chelsea then conclude their pre-season preparations against Real Madrid and Inter Milan, while City face Manchester United in the Community Shield next weekend.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">"The Diet Pep?!" 😂 Guardiola cannot believe the nickname given to new <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChelseaFC</a> boss Enzo Maresca 😅 🔗 <a href="https://t.co/YT292MNB7q">https://t.co/YT292MNB7q</a> <a href="https://t.co/z6fscUFyYE">pic.twitter.com/z6fscUFyYE</a>— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/HaytersTV/status/1819629274795753527?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT NEXT?

Pep Guardiola left speechless by nickname for new Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca as Man City chief attributes comparison to baldness | Goal.com

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been left shocked by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca&apos;s nickname, after he was labelled a &quot;diet Pep&quot;. 