Manchester City have appointed Enzo Maresca as their new manager, ending his brief spell away from football following his departure from Chelsea earlier this year.
According to Sky Sport, the Italian has signed a three-year contract to replace Pep Guardiola, with City set to pay Chelsea more than £17 million (€20 million) in compensation to secure his services.
Maresca returns to the Etihad Stadium for a third stint, having previously worked as Guardiola’s assistant during City’s treble-winning campaign in 2023. He also guided the club’s Elite Development Squad to the Premier League 2 title during the 2020/21 season.
Speaking after his appointment, the 46-year-old said he was delighted to return to a club he knows well.
“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.
Maresca described City as an ideal environment for any manager, praising the club’s structure and long-term planning.
“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 also vowed to build on the club’s success.
“I cannot wait to start coaching the players. I want us to win, play good football and enjoy the pressure of representing Manchester City,” he added.
Maresca left Chelsea by mutual consent on New Year’s Day despite guiding the club to the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup titles during his only full season in charge. He also led the Blues to a fifth-place Premier League finish.
He succeeds Guardiola, who brought an end to his remarkable 10-year reign at Manchester City after winning 17 major trophies. The Spaniard departed following the 2025/26 campaign, having finished behind Arsenal in the Premier League.
