Maran became manager of newly relegated Serie B club Brescia on 5 July 2005 on a one-year contract.

In October 2011, Maran joined struggling Varese, replacing Benito Carbone as head coach.

Maran was dismissed on 20 October 2013 after a 1–2 loss to Cagliari that left Catania in the relegation zone, and replaced by Luigi De Canio.

[11] On 19 October 2014, Maran was named new head coach of former club Chievo, replacing Eugenio Corini.

[12] He was sacked on 29 April 2018, weeks before the end of his contract; the team was on the brink of the relegation zone having taken 11 points from the last 21 games.

[15] This form did not continue into the second half of the season, and on 3 March 2020, he was fired by Cagliari after a run of 12 consecutive games without a league win.