Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Manchester City have officially confirmed the appointment of Enzo Maresca as the club's new manager, bringing an end to weeks of speculation over who would succeed the legendary Pep Guardiola. The Italian has signed a three-year contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2029, marking his third spell at the club.
The announcement, made on Monday, June 29, 2026, comes more than a month after Guardiola announced he would step down at the end of the 2025-26 season, bringing a trophy-laden decade in charge to a close. Maresca, 46, has been out of work since leaving Chelsea in January 2026, where he won the Conference League and Club World Cup during his brief tenure.
Maresca's appointment was reportedly delayed while City negotiated with Chelsea over a compensation package for the Italian. The Premier League champions are believed to have paid their rivals around £17 million to secure the services of their former head coach.
For Maresca, the move represents a homecoming of sorts. He previously served as Guardiola's assistant during Manchester City's historic treble-winning season in 2022-23, when the club won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. He also managed the club's Elite Development Squad during the 2020-21 season, leading them to the Premier League 2 title.
"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 in the club's official announcement. "This will be my third spell here. I know this Club, I know the demands and I know the expectations. I cannot wait to start coaching the players. I want us to win, play good football and enjoy the pressure of representing Manchester City".
Manchester City Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak welcomed Maresca's return, describing the Italian as someone whose "personality, passion and intelligence" are completely aligned with the club's needs. "Enzo inherits a squad and football organisation perfectly suited to reflect and evolve his brand of football," Al Mubarak said.
Chief Executive Officer Ferran Soriano described Maresca as "the stand-out candidate" in City's considerations, adding: "We know his personality and his vision for the way football should be played. He is a man with integrity, charisma and passion".
Maresca's appointment has been overshadowed by the circumstances surrounding his departure from Chelsea. The Italian left Stamford Bridge in January 2026 after a run of one win in seven Premier League matches.
Chelsea have since released a statement explaining the events that led to Maresca's exit, saying it was "important to explain to our supporters what happened and why". According to the club, Maresca informed them in autumn 2025 that there "might be an opportunity for him to succeed Pep Guardiola at the end of the season".
"It became clear to us that it was his strong desire to succeed Guardiola and that he was fully committed to pursuing the opportunity, despite the fact he was under a long-term contract which he had no right to terminate," Chelsea's statement read. "In December 2025, our Head Coach unexpectedly and abruptly resigned from his position".
Maresca has since apologised for the disruption caused by his departure. "The decision was only mine," he wrote on Instagram. "I recognise that my departure from Chelsea in the middle of the season caused disruption for the club and I apologise for that. It was neither my intention nor my wish".
Maresca's appointment marks the beginning of a new era at Manchester City. Guardiola's departure after 10 years in charge, during which he won six Premier League titles and the Champions League, leaves enormous shoes to fill.
The Italian has already begun collaborating closely with City sporting director Hugo Viana in the club's planning for summer transfer activity and pre-season schedule. He is expected to continue the philosophy and playing style established by Guardiola, having been an integral part of the coaching staff that delivered the club's greatest ever season.
Maresca's previous managerial experience includes guiding Leicester City to the Championship title in 2023-24 before joining Chelsea that summer. He also had a brief stint as head coach of Parma.
As he prepares to take charge of a squad that includes some of the world's finest players, Maresca will be aware of the weight of expectation that comes with managing the Premier League champions. But for a man who knows the club inside out, the challenge is one he has been preparing for his entire career.
"Everything they do is innovative, planned and purposeful," Maresca said of City. "For a manager, that is a dream situation."
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