Manchester City have confirmed the appointment of Enzo Maresca as the club's new manager, ushering in a new chapter following the departure of Pep Guardiola after one of the most successful periods in the club's history.
The Italian has signed a three-year contract and returns to the Etihad Stadium with the task of maintaining City's place among Europe's elite.
Maresca is no stranger to Manchester City. He previously managed the club's Elite Development Squad before returning as Guardiola's assistant during the historic 2022/23 treble-winning campaign.
His familiarity with the club's philosophy, players and footballing structure made him the standout candidate to succeed the Spaniard.
Enzo Maresca has been formally hired as the new Manchester City manager
|MANCITY
The 46-year-old arrives after an eventful spell at Chelsea, where he lifted both the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup. Despite his success in west London, Maresca's departure came after a breakdown in his relationship with the club's hierarchy, paving the way for his return to Manchester.
City's hierarchy believe continuity will be key following Guardiola's exit, and Maresca's tactical philosophy closely mirrors that of his former mentor.
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His teams are renowned for dominating possession, building attacks patiently from the back and controlling matches through intelligent positional play.
While comparisons with Guardiola are inevitable, Maresca will now have the opportunity to establish his own identity on one of football's biggest stages.
Supporters will also be eager to see how the Italian reshapes the squad during the summer transfer window.
Welcome back, Enzo 🩵
— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 29, 2026
🔗 https://t.co/7BpGdG82na pic.twitter.com/2RfmNA7qMj
Reports have already linked City with several players who previously worked under Maresca, suggesting the new manager is keen to put his own stamp on the team while preserving the winning culture that has defined the club over the past decade.
Replacing Guardiola is arguably the most demanding job in world football.
The former City boss delivered multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups and the club's first UEFA Champions League trophy, setting standards that few managers could hope to match.
Maresca, however, arrives with the full backing of the club's board and a deep understanding of what has made Manchester City so successful.
The challenge ahead is enormous, but for Maresca it is also a unique opportunity.
The next chapter in Manchester City's history has officially begun, and the club will hope their former assistant can write a successful story of his own.