Manchester City quickly announced Josep Guardiola’s replacement. And as expected, it’s a homecoming. Enzo Maresca (Pontecagnano Faiano, Italy, 1980) will be the first manager other than Guardiola to occupy the ‘sky blue’ dugout in 10 years. The Italian, who is under contract until 2029, returns to Manchester three years after joining Pep’s staff in the season that saw City win the Champions League for the first time in their history.
“Manchester City is a club that I know very well and to have the opportunity to manage this team is a great opportunity for me,” Maresca said. “I can’t wait to start coaching the players. I’m looking forward to helping the team win, playing good football and enjoying the pressure of representing Manchester City.”
Josep Guardiola bids emotional farewell after 10 years at Manchester City
I want them to win and play good soccer.
Maresca returns to Etihad Airways as world champion. In fact, his Chelsea were the first team to win the first-ever 32-team Club World Cup. But a few months later, the 2024-25 conference champion clashed with the Blue club’s board over poor results and left London through the back door.
The former Málaga and Sevilla footballer, who has also spent time as manager at Parma (briefly), Leicester City (promoted to the Premier League) and even Chelsea, will now take on one of the biggest challenges of his career: ensuring City don’t overlook Guardiola. Arne Slott had already enjoyed success in his first season with Klopp at Liverpool. But maintaining the consistency and becoming a winning team every season, as Guardiola has done, is the difficult part.
ideal candidate
Manchester City president Khaldoon Al Mubarak said he believed Maresca was the perfect fit for the team and said the Italian’s preferred style of football reflected the club’s values. “Enzo is someone who has always looked for opportunities to improve himself and succeed in his career. He brings personality, passion and intelligence that perfectly fits what we need,” he said.
“Enzo is someone who has always sought out opportunities to improve himself and succeed in his career.”
“He returns to an organization that fully shares his ambitions and desire for success, so his return to Manchester City is a natural and welcome step for him and for the club.”
