Manchester City appoint former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola’s successor

Manchester City have appointed former Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca as their new manager.

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Maresca has signed a three-year contract to succeed Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium, and City will pay Chelsea more than £17m (€20m) in compensation as part of the deal.

The 46-year-old previously served as Guardiola’s assistant during Man City’s treble-winning season in 2023, having also led the club’s Elite Development Squad to the Premier League 2 title in his single season at the helm in 2020/21.

Speaking in an interview with the club after his appointment, Maresca said: “Manchester City is a club I know very well and to have the chance to manage this team is a brilliant opportunity for me.

“City is an incredibly well-run football club. Everything they do is innovative, planned and purposeful. For a manager, that is a dream situation. It provides the consistency I need to do my job effectively.

“This will be my third spell here. I know this club, I know the demands and I know the expectations.

“The quality of the people who work here is what makes it so special, and I want to thank them for showing faith in my ability.

“I cannot wait to start coaching the players. I want us to win, play good football and enjoy the pressure of representing Manchester City.”

Maresca, who departed Chelsea on New Year’s Day by mutual consent, has been out of work since leaving Stamford Bridge. He had three and a half years left on his contract.

He led the Blues to the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup titles during his one full season in charge, and left the club fifth in the Premier League table – five places above their final position of 10th.

Guardiola left the Etihad at the end of the 2025/26 season after 10 years in charge, during which time City won 17 major trophies.