Manchester City on Monday appointed Italian coach Enzo Maresca as their new manager, succeeding Pep Guardiola after the Spaniard’s decade-long spell at the Etihad Stadium.
Maresca, 46, has signed a three-year contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2029.
“Manchester City is a club I know very well and to have the chance to manage this team is a brilliant opportunity for me,” Maresca said.
“City is an incredibly well-run football club. Everything they do is innovative, planned and purposeful. For a manager, that is a dream situation. It provides the consistency I need to do my job effectively.”
The Italian said he was delighted to return for a third spell at the club, having previously served as Guardiola’s assistant during City’s treble-winning 2022-23 campaign and earlier managed the club’s Elite Development Squad to the Premier League 2 title in 2020-21.
“This will be my third spell here. I know this club, I know the demands, and I know the expectations,” he said.
“I cannot wait to start coaching the players. I want us to win, play good football and enjoy the pressure of representing Manchester City.”
Maresca’s appointment had been widely anticipated following reports that Guardiola would step down at the end of the season.
However, his return to the Etihad was delayed after Chelsea sought a reported £17 million ($22 million) compensation package, as the Italian remained under contract with the London club until 2029 despite leaving in January.
Chelsea also issued a statement confirming that Maresca had informed the club earlier in the season that “there might be an opportunity for him to succeed Pep Guardiola at the end of the season.”
“In December 2025, our head coach unexpectedly and abruptly resigned from his position. Obviously, we felt let down,” the club added.
Tasked with restoring City’s dominance
Maresca inherits the job of returning Manchester City to the top of English football after the club failed to win the Premier League title for two consecutive seasons.
After months of speculation, Guardiola stepped down in May, ending a hugely successful 10-year reign during which he won 17 major trophies, including six Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, two FA Cups and four League Cups.
Although City lifted the FA Cup and League Cup in Guardiola’s final campaign, they finished second in the Premier League, seven points behind champions Arsenal.
Maresca returns to management after leaving Chelsea midway through last season. His tenure at Stamford Bridge began impressively as the Blues finished fourth in the Premier League while winning both the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup in his first season.
A disciple of Guardiola, Maresca is known for his possession-based style and meticulous attention to detail. Before joining Chelsea, he guided Leicester City back to the Premier League by winning the Championship title in 2023-24.
City hope the Italian can emulate the success enjoyed by another former Guardiola assistant, Mikel Arteta, who transformed Arsenal into Premier League champions.
The former Juventus and West Bromwich Albion midfielder is also expected to oversee a busy summer transfer window. City have reportedly agreed a club-record deal for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson and are also said to be pursuing Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi.
