Manchester City has appointed Enzo Maresca as their new manager following Pep Guardiola’s departure at the end of the 2025-26 season. Maresca, 46, signed a three-year contract to take charge of the Premier League club, marking his third spell at City in various coaching roles. His arrival ended weeks of negotiations that included a compensation fee of approximately £17 million paid to Chelsea, where Maresca had been head coach until his resignation on January 1, 2026.
Maresca’s move to Manchester City was contingent on Guardiola’s decision to step down after a decade at the club, during which the Spanish manager won 17 major trophies, including six Premier League titles in his first eight seasons. Guardiola’s departure came amid a period of transition for City, who finished second in the Premier League for the second consecutive year, seven points behind champions Arsenal, and secured domestic cup victories in his final season.
Having worked as an assistant to Guardiola during the 2022-23 season, Maresca helped City secure a treble comprising the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup. He also previously coached City’s Under-21 squad to a Premier League 2 title in 2020-21. Maresca’s coaching career includes spells at Leicester City, whom he led to promotion from the Championship in 2023-24, and Chelsea, where he won two trophies but left amid reported disruption.
Manchester City’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain and Guardiola played instrumental roles in selecting Maresca, who is viewed as a candidate capable of continuing the club’s possession-based style and high standards. Upon his appointment, Maresca expressed excitement about the challenge, noting his familiarity with the club’s culture and his desire to maintain City’s recent success. He acknowledged the high expectations and the difficulty of succeeding Guardiola, citing the club’s emphasis on winning and playing attractive football.
Chelsea’s announcement of Maresca’s departure highlighted their disappointment, describing his resignation as abrupt and unexpected. Some Chelsea players, including Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella—who later transferred to Real Madrid—reportedly expressed frustration at his exit.
Maresca plans to make significant signings to strengthen City’s squad, with reports indicating that a club-record deal for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, valued at around £116 million, is imminent. Additionally, City are reportedly pursuing Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi as part of their recruitment drive.
As Manchester City embark on a new era, Maresca faces the task of restoring the club to the top of English football, building on a foundation laid over the past decade while navigating the evolving dynamics of a squad undergoing transition.