Enzo Maresca Appointed Manchester City Manager
Manchester City have appointed Enzo Maresca as their new manager, replacing the legendary Pep Guardiola. The 46-year-old Italian has signed a three-year contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2029.
The announcement was made on Monday, June 29, 2026, after a delay reportedly caused by negotiations with Chelsea over a compensation package. Maresca had left Chelsea in January, and City needed to agree on terms with the Premier League rival before finalizing the appointment.
Maresca's Previous Roles at City
Maresca is no stranger to Manchester City, having served as the club's academy coach during the 2020-21 season. He later became Guardiola's assistant for the 2022-23 campaign, a historic season in which City won the treble: the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup.
His familiarity with the club and its philosophy was a key factor in his appointment. Maresca will now take on the challenging task of succeeding Guardiola, widely regarded as one of soccer's greatest ever coaches.
Compensation Deal with Chelsea
The delay in announcing Maresca's hiring stemmed from the need to negotiate a compensation package with Chelsea. Maresca had left Chelsea in January, and City had to reach an agreement with the London club before they could officially appoint him.
According to sources close to the negotiations, the compensation deal was finalized over the weekend, allowing City to announce the appointment on Monday.
Maresca's Background and Challenges Ahead
Before his stint at Chelsea, Maresca had a playing career that included spells at Juventus, Sevilla, and Olympiacos. As a coach, he has worked under Guardiola and also managed Parma in Serie B.
Now, he faces the daunting task of maintaining City's dominance in English and European football. Guardiola's tenure saw City win multiple Premier League titles and their first Champions League trophy. Maresca will be expected to continue that success.
