MANCHESTER – Manchester City have officially appointed Italian coach Enzo Maresca as their new manager, ending weeks of speculation over who would succeed Pep Guardiola after the Spaniard’s decade-long reign at the club.
Maresca, 46, has signed a three-year contract and returns to the Etihad Stadium after previously serving as Guardiola’s assistant during the 2022/23 season and coaching City’s elite development squad.
The appointment marks the beginning of a new era for the Premier League champions, with Maresca inheriting one of world football’s most successful teams following Guardiola’s remarkable spell that delivered six Premier League titles and numerous domestic and international trophies.
City’s hierarchy identified Maresca as their preferred candidate soon after Guardiola confirmed he would step down at the end of the season. Club officials remained patient throughout negotiations, with reports indicating that City paid Chelsea around £17 million in compensation to secure the Italian’s release from his contract.
The move comes just six months after Maresca left Chelsea, where he had guided the London club to UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup success before resigning on 1st January 2026.
Chelsea have since issued a strongly worded statement explaining the circumstances surrounding his departure, revealing that Maresca had informed the club as early as autumn 2025 that he was interested in succeeding Guardiola should the opportunity arise.
According to Chelsea, the club believed the manager’s focus had shifted toward Manchester City, eventually leading to his unexpected resignation during the festive period despite being under a long-term contract.
The London club described the decision as disappointing, saying the abrupt exit disrupted their season and contributed significantly to a difficult 2025/26 campaign.
Despite the contractual dispute, senior Manchester City officials insist there is no ill feeling between the two clubs. Sources close to City say the disagreement was solely between Chelsea and Maresca, while praising the Italian as someone who fully understands the club’s football philosophy.
Having previously worked closely with Guardiola, Maresca is expected to maintain City’s possession-based style while seeking to build on the unprecedented success achieved by his predecessor.
His biggest challenge will be living up to the expectations created during Guardiola’s trophy-filled tenure and ensuring Manchester City remain among Europe’s elite under a new generation of leadership.
