PEP'S OLD PAL'S AXED

City boss should be glad he is not working under same circumstances as Enzo was

- BY JEREMY CROSS

IF Pep Guardiola thought he had problems, he should spare a thought for his rivals visiting The Etihad tonight.

Under normal circumstances, Guardiola would be offering a warm embrace to Enzo Maresca before kickoff.

But he won't be - because Maresca got the cold shoulder from Chelsea before getting the chance to take on Guardiola's former champions.

Calum McFarlane (inset) will now take charge while the Blues work out who to appoint next.

Finding someone to replace Maresca will not be a problem because Chelsea's owners, the BlueCo Consortium, have become experts in hiring and firing since seizing control at Stamford Bridge.