Enzo Maresca appointed as Manchester City’s new manager ahead of Josep Guardiola’s official retirement
Enzo Maresca appointed as Man City’s new manager (Image: Warren Little/Getty Images)
Manchester City have finally announced that Enzo Maresca has been appointed as their new manager, replacing Josep Guardiola. Guardiola oversaw his last game in charge of City last season, losing 2-1 to Aston Villa in the final Premier League game.
Guardiola has been City manager for 10 years since taking over in 2016, winning 20 major trophies during his time in Manchester, including this season’s FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Maresca was widely reported as a potential successor to Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium, but City have now confirmed the news that he will become their new manager after reaching a settlement with the former Chelsea boss and his former club.
He has signed a three-year contract at the Etihad Stadium and will be in his third year with City. He said: “Manchester City is a club that I know very well and the opportunity to manage this team is a fantastic opportunity for me.
“City are an incredibly well-run football club. Everything they do is innovative, planned and purposeful. For a manager, it’s a dream situation. It gives me the consistency I need to do my job effectively.”
“This is my third time here. I know this club, I know its demands and expectations.
“The quality of the people who work here is what makes it special and I would like to thank them for the confidence they have shown in my abilities.
“I can’t wait to start coaching the players. I hope we win, play good football and enjoy the pressure of representing Manchester City.”
Enzo Maresca has been named as Pep Guardiola’s successor (Image: (Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images))
Maresca was Chelsea manager from the summer of 2024 until his departure on New Year’s Day, and also spent a year at Leicester City, helping them secure promotion from the Championship.
The 46-year-old led the Londoners to victory in the Europa Conference League last season, and a few weeks later they also won the FIFA Club World Cup last summer.
Chelsea have released a candid statement about the reasons for their departure after making it clear they want to replace Guardiola at Man City.
“Chelsea FC appreciates that the 2025/26 season has been a very disappointing season for the club and its supporters,” a statement said. “The main factor was the disruption caused by the club being forced to change head coaching positions over the Christmas period.
“Due to recent circumstances, we believe it is important to explain to our supporters what happened and why our former head coach left the club on January 1, 2026.
Josep Guardiola left Man City at the end of last season (Image: Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
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“Last autumn, the club was informed by our former head coach that there might be an opportunity to replace Josep Guardiola at the end of the season. It became clear to us that it was his strong desire to succeed Guardiola and that he was fully committed to pursuing that opportunity, even though he was under a long-term contract with no right to terminate.” In December 2025, our head coach unexpectedly and abruptly resigned from his position. “We were obviously disappointed as we believed his head and heart were focused on another club and another opportunity, despite having only just arrived at Chelsea the year before. No club wants to change head coaches mid-season. However, given his decision not to continue in his responsibilities until the end of the season, the club was left with no choice but to protect its players, supporters and badge and accept his resignation.”
Enzo Maresca left Chelsea undercover in January (Image: Getty Images)
“In view of the circumstances and the mutual respect between the clubs, we have reached a confidential settlement with Manchester City, including the payment of compensation. We have also reached a confidential settlement with Manchester City, which includes the payment of compensation. “As we look forward to next season, we have a manager in Xabi Alonso who has an extraordinary footballing mind and is a most honest professional. He has all the qualities to deliver the success that the club’s supporters hope and expect. ”
Regarding his departure from Chelsea, Maresca said: “I have made the difficult decision to leave Chelsea at the end of December 2025.
“This decision was mine alone. Leaving Chelsea opened the door for me to join Manchester City, a club I knew well. I am absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester City.”
“I recognize that leaving Chelsea midway through the season may have caused disruption to the club and I apologize for that. That was not my intention or wish.
“I was treated well by everyone at Chelsea and together we achieved great success and left with memories I will always cherish. I am grateful to the club, owners and fans for the opportunity.”
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