MANCHESTER City's Enzo Maresca has been named as the new coach of Serie B outfit Parma having previously been linked with a move to Parkhead.

The former Juventus, Fiorentina and Sevilla midfielder had taken charge of the Under-23 team at the Etihad Stadium last year as his young guns wrapped up the Premier League 2 title - leading to apparent interest from Celtic.

With the Glasgow club undergoing a major restructure this summer, Maresca had been touted for the vacant manager's position and the new director of football role.

But with the 41-year-old opting to take the reins of Parma in Italy's second tier, Maresca will not be coming to Glasgow.

READ MORE: St Johnstone to demand record transfer fee for Celtic-linked midfielder

“Parma Calcio 1913 are pleased to announce that Enzo Maresca is the new head coach of Parma Calcio,” read a club statement on Thursday.

Former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe remains the favourite to succeed Neil Lennon as first-team manager at the Premiership runners-up, while Maresca's old colleague Fergal Harkin, City's football partnerships and pathways manager, is believed to be in the frame for a newly-created director of football position.