Manchester City announced Enzo Maresca as the successor to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, with the Italian taking on the task of replacing one of football’s greatest-ever coaches.
The 46-year-old coach finalised a three-year agreement, which followed a brief delay in the formal announcement as City worked out a financial compensation package with Chelsea, the Premier League rivals he departed earlier this year in January.
Maresca’s departure at the start of January came amidst a breakdown in communications with the Chelsea board, happening concurrently with British media speculations linking him as the preferred candidate to take over from the legendary Pep Guardiola at City. At that juncture, Maresca, whose Chelsea deal ran through to 2029, dismissed the rumours.
His tenure at Stamford Bridge lasted from June 2024 until January 2026, during which he guided the Blues to victories in both the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Conference League, alongside securing a Champions League qualification spot.
Chelsea release a statement regarding Enzo Maresca
Addressing his exit, Chelsea FC released a public statement indicating that the possibility of the Manchester City job had influenced the manager’s commitment.
“In autumn last year, the club was informed by our former head coach that there might be an opportunity for him to succeed Pep Guardiola at the end of the season,” Chelsea said. “It became clear to us that it was his strong desire to succeed Guardiola and that he was fully committed to pursuing the opportunity, despite the fact that he was under a long-term contract which he had no right to terminate,” the statement said.
The West London club further noted it “felt let down” when he resigned “as we believed that his head and heart were focused on another club and another opportunity.”
Acknowledging the friction his mid-season exit caused, Maresca noted that his departure from Chelsea ’caused disruption for the club, and I apologise for that.’
“It was neither my intention nor my wish,” he added, while saying he was “ecstatic” to be joining City.
“Manchester City is a club I know very well, and to have the chance to manage this team is a brilliant opportunity for me,” Maresca said in a City statement.
“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.”
