After the end of the most important era in its history with Pep Guardiola, this Monday Manchester City officially announced his replacement: Enzo Maresca. The Italian, who became available earlier this year after his time at Chelsea, signed a contract for three seasons, until the European summer of 2029.
In the statement released by the institution, Maresca expressed his enthusiasm for returning to the Etihad Stadium, this time as the head coach of the first team. "Manchester City is a club I know very well, and having the opportunity to manage this team is a magnificent opportunity for me," he stated.
The coach highlighted the structure of the institution and assured that this context will be key to developing his work: "The City is an incredibly well-managed football club. Everything they do is innovative, planned, and purposeful. For a coach, that is an ideal situation. It provides me with the stability I need to perform my job effectively."
Additionally, he emphasized that his knowledge of the club, where he previously worked as part of Guardiola's coaching staff and as the U-23 development team coach, will facilitate his adaptation to the new challenge. "This will be my third stint here. I know this club, I know the demands, and I know the expectations," he pointed out.
Maresca worked as Guardiola's assistant at City
Maresca also thanked the management for their trust and made it clear what his objective will be at the helm of the team: "The quality of the people who work here is what makes it so special, and I want to thank them for the trust they have placed in my abilities."
Finally, the Italian assured that he is already looking forward to starting to work with the squad. "I am eager to start training the players. I want us to win, to play good football, and to enjoy the pressure of representing Manchester City," he stated.
In the same text, the club's president, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, assured that the choice of the Italian responds both to his profile and to the football identity that the institution aims to maintain after Guardiola's departure. "Enzo is a person who has always sought opportunities to improve and succeed in his managerial career. He brings a personality, passion, and intelligence that perfectly fit our needs," he assured.
Khaldoon Al Mubarak celebrated the arrival of Maresca
He also considered that the return of the coach was a natural consequence of the bond he maintains with the City. "He rejoins an organization that fully shares his ambition and desire to succeed, so his return to Manchester City is, therefore, a natural and welcome step for both him and the Club."
In this regard, he highlighted that he will find a structure ready to enhance his football proposal: "Enzo inherits a squad and a football organization perfectly adapted to reflect and develop his style of play, and we are all eager to see the impact he can have in continuing to consolidate the Club's success." Finally, he closed with a brief message: "Welcome home, Enzo."
With this announcement, Manchester City begins a new era after Guardiola's departure, betting on a coach who knows the club's structure and whose football proposal seeks to continue the model that turned the institution into one of the great powers of European football.
Maresca's numbers as a coach
Since his debut as head coach in mid-2023, the Italian has managed two clubs: Leicester (mid-2023 - mid-2024) and Chelsea (mid-2024 - early 2026).
During his time with the Foxes, he managed 53 matches, with a record of 36 wins, 4 draws, and 13 losses, and a tally of 103 goals for and 50 against. There he won one title: Championship 2023/24 (the English second division that promoted the team to the Premier League).
Maresca won the Club World Cup with Chelsea
On the other hand, with the Blues, he managed 92 matches, of which he won 55, drew 16, and lost 21 with 191 goals for and 98 against. With the London team, he celebrated championship victories twice: Conference League (2024/25) and Club World Cup (2025).
