Manchester City and Enzo Maresca have both sign a contract which will see the former Chelsea manager take over as Pep Guardiola successor.
With the curtain falling on the illustrious ten-year tenure of Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City has moved decisively to secure his successor.
As reported by renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the club has reached a total verbal agreement for Enzo Maresca to take the reins as the new head coach.
“Enzo Maresca has already signed a three year deal as Manchester City new manager.
“Agreement until June 2029 and new chapter to start soon at Manchester City, with Maresca fully involved in the transfer strategy. Here we go, 100% confirmed.
Maresca is a figure well-acquainted with the Manchester City DNA. His return to the Etihad is widely viewed as the most logical step in the club’s succession planning.
Having previously served as an integral part of Guardiola’s coaching staff most notably during the historic treble-winning campaign of 2022/23, Maresca is deeply familiar with the tactical philosophy.
The former Chelsea manager is also used to the high-performance culture that have defined the Manchester City unprecedented success over the last decade.
The Italian manager’s path to the top job has been both rapid and impressive. Following his stint at City, he took charge of Leicester City, where he successfully guided the Foxes to promotion.
His subsequent appointment at Chelsea in 2024 showcased his tactical ambition, though his tenure at Stamford Bridge ended prematurely earlier this year.
Despite that challenging spell, Manchester City’s hierarchy has remained steadfast in their belief that Maresca possesses the intellectual acumen and leadership qualities to carry the torch forward.
According to Romano’s reports, the agreement in place is for an initial three-year contract. This deal signals the club’s intent to provide stability during a period of monumental transition.
While Guardiola’s final match saw him walk away from a legacy of over 20 trophies, the club is clearly focused on maintaining its competitive edge.
​The transition comes at a time when the club is also navigating final administrative details regarding Maresca’s exit from Chelsea, following his acrimonious departure from Stamford Bridge on New Year’s Day.
Despite these complexities, the confirmation has effectively signaled that the transition is all but set in stone.
The appointment of Maresca is seen by many analysts as a continuation of City’s possession-based identity.
By opting for a coach who has learned directly from Guardiola, the club is minimizing the risk of a total tactical overhaul, favoring instead an evolution of the current system.
