MANCHESTER — Manchester City have officially confirmed the appointment of Enzo Maresca as the club’s new manager, ending the search for a successor to Pep Guardiola following the legendary Spaniard's departure at the end of the 2025-26 season. The Italian has signed a three-year contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2029.
This appointment marks Maresca’s third spell at the club. Having previously led the Elite Development Squad (EDS) to a Premier League 2 title in 2021, he returned in 2022 to serve as one of Guardiola’s assistant managers, playing a key role in the club's historic Treble-winning campaign in 2023.
Guardiola Successor Enzo Maresca: 3-Year Deal to 2029
• Appointment: Enzo Maresca signed 3-year contract to summer 2029
• Background: Treble assistant 2023. EDS title 2021. Returns for 3rd spell
• CV: Won EFL Championship with Leicester. UCL + Club World Cup with Chelsea
• Quote: "Brilliant opportunity. City is innovative, planned, purposeful"
Read Also: Manchester City and Chelsea Reach €20m Agreement for Enzo Maresca
"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 stated. "City is an incredibly well-run football club. Everything they do is innovative, planned and purposeful. For a manager, that is a dream situation."
Maresca’s managerial career has seen rapid progression. Following his successful stint in Manchester, he was appointed head coach at Leicester City, where he secured the EFL Championship title and immediate promotion to the Premier League. He most recently managed Chelsea, where he led the side to UEFA Conference League success and FIFA Club World Cup glory before departing Stamford Bridge in January 2026.
City officials emphasized that Maresca’s appointment is a strategic move, noting his deep familiarity with the club’s internal philosophy and his previous successful collaboration with both the staff and the squad. The Italian takes charge immediately, tasked with maintaining the high standards established during Guardiola’s tenure.
