Manchester City have confirmed the appointment of Italian coach Enzo Maresca as their new manager on a three-year contract, running until the summer of 2029.
The 46-year-old takes over from Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium as the club looks to reclaim the Premier League title after two seasons without silverware.
Maresca, who knows the club intimately, expressed his delight at the opportunity. “Manchester City is a club I know very well and to have the chance to manage this team is a brilliant opportunity for me,” he said.
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“City is an incredibly well-run football club. Everything they do is innovative, planned and purposeful. For a manager, that is a dream situation.”
He added: “This will be my third spell here. I know the demands, and I know the expectations. The quality of the people who work here is what makes it so special… 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 connection with Manchester City runs deep. He first joined the club as coach of the Elite Development Squad (EDS), guiding them to the Premier League 2 title in the 2020-21 season. In 2022-23, he served as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants during the historic Treble-winning campaign that delivered the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup.
Before returning to City, Maresca built a solid reputation as a head coach. The former Juventus and West Bromwich Albion midfielder began his coaching journey in the youth ranks before taking charge at Leicester City, where he secured promotion from the Championship in his first full season.
He then moved to Chelsea in the summer of 2024, leading the Blues in the Premier League until an abrupt resignation in December 2025.
Maresca’s move to Manchester City was delayed by negotiations with Chelsea, who demanded a reported £17 million ($22 million) in compensation, given that he was still under contract until 2029. Chelsea issued a statement confirming that Maresca had informed them earlier in the season of a potential opportunity to succeed Guardiola, describing his mid-season departure as unexpected.
City have gone two years without a Premier League crown, and Maresca is now tasked with restoring the club to the summit of English and European football. His deep knowledge of the City structure, playing style, and high-performance environment makes him a logical successor in the eyes of the club’s hierarchy.
Maresca concluded: “I know this club, I know the demands, and I know the expectations… I want to thank them for showing faith in my ability.”
