Man City appoint Maresca as Guardiola’s successor

Manchester City have announced the appointment of Enzo Maresca as the club’s new manager following the departure of Pep Guardiola.

The Premier League champions confirmed on Monday that Maresca has signed a three-year contract, keeping him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2029.

The Italian tactician returns to City for a third spell, having previously served as Guardiola’s assistant between 2022 and 2023 after guiding the club’s Elite Development Squad to the Premier League 2 title in 2021.

City reportedly agreed to pay Chelsea more than €20 million in compensation to secure Maresca’s services. The 46-year-old left Chelsea by mutual consent on New Year’s Day despite having three years remaining on his contract.

Speaking after his appointment, Maresca described the opportunity to lead Manchester City as a dream come true.

“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.

“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.

“This will be my third spell here. I know this club, I know the demands and I know the expectations. The quality of the people who work here is what makes it so special, and I want to thank them for showing faith in my ability.”

Maresca succeeds Guardiola, who stepped down at the end of last season after a remarkable 10-year reign that saw him win more than 20 major trophies. The former Chelsea boss is now expected to build on the Spaniard’s legacy as City begin a new era under his leadership.