Manchester City have officially appointed Enzo Maresca as their new manager, ending weeks of speculation following Pep Guardiola’s emotional departure after a decade of unprecedented success at the Etihad.
The 46-year-old Italian has signed a three-year contract until 2029, with Chelsea set to receive about £17 million in compensation after Maresca left Stamford Bridge midway through last season.
Maresca, who previously managed City’s Elite Development Squad and later served as one of Guardiola’s assistants, described his return as a “dream opportunity.”
“Manchester City is a club I know very well. Everything here is innovative, planned and purposeful. I know the expectations and I cannot wait to start working with the players,” he said.
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak praised the Italian’s ambition and football philosophy, insisting he is well suited to build on the club’s recent achievements.
Maresca’s appointment follows a turbulent spell at Chelsea, where he left by mutual consent on New Year’s Day after a breakdown in relations with the club’s hierarchy despite initially guiding the Blues into the top two.
The move reportedly sparked tensions between both clubs, with Chelsea demanding compensation over his early departure. An agreement worth around £17 million was eventually reached.
City will now hope Maresca can restore them to the summit of English football after back-to-back seasons without a Premier League title, while continuing the legacy established by Guardiola during his trophy-laden reign.
Chelsea statements on Enzo Maresca’s appointment
“Chelsea FC appreciates the 2025/2026 season was a hugely disappointing one for the Club and its supporters. A major contributing factor was the disruption caused as a result of changes that the Club was forced to make to the Head Coach position over the Christmas period”
