Pep Guardiola was left stunned after finding out Enzo Maresca's nickname as the Manchester City boss gave a hilarious response.

Guardiola and Maresca worked together at Man City, with the Italian coaching the Elite Development Squad before joining the Spaniard's backroom staff.

Maresca left his role at the Etihad to take charge of Leicester City, where he inspired the club to Championship glory last season.

He was appointed Chelsea manager this summer as he will put his managerial wits against Guardiola next season.

Pep Guardiola and Enzo Maresca in the dugout for 2022/23 Champions League final. Image: Getty

Ahead of going head-to-head on the opening weekend of the new Premier League campaign, Maresca and Guardiola will meet in a pre-season clash.

Speaking to the press ahead of tonight's meeting, Guardiola was told about Maresca's nickname of 'Diet Pep', to which he replied: "Diet?!"

The Man City press officer explained the nickname, saying: "Like you, but not quite you."

Guardiola continued: "It's for the hair... it's for the beard."

After learning of Maresca's nickname, Guardiola went onto praise the 44-year-old.

"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 added.

"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."

Chelsea vs. Man City takes place tonight in Columbus, Ohio, before they meet each other again in a league fixture on August 18.