The former Blues manager has signed a three-year contract with Manchester City, replacing manager Josep Guardiola, who resigned in May.
Published June 29, 2026
Manchester City has appointed Enzo Maresca as manager next season to replace outgoing manager Josep Guardiola, the Premier League club announced on Monday.
The Italian left Chelsea midway through the season to join City, with the London club announcing they had reached an agreement with the Manchester club over a remuneration package. British media reported the compensation was approximately 17 million pounds ($22.5 million).
Recommended stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
Maresca, who has signed a three-year contract, is familiar with City’s system having previously coached the club’s youth teams. He was also a first-team assistant coach under Guardiola during City’s treble-winning season in 2018-19.
“Manchester City is a club that I know very well and the opportunity to manage this team is a great opportunity for me,” Maresca said in a statement.
“The quality of the people who work here is what makes it so special, and I want to thank them for believing in my abilities.
“I can’t wait to start coaching the players. We want to win, play good football and enjoy the pressure of representing Manchester City.”
Management’s journey
The 46-year-old Italian’s journey as a manager began in 2021 with Parma, where he played 14 games and won just four times.
He was appointed manager of Leicester City at the start of the 2023-24 Championship season, leading Leicester City back to the Premier League as champions.
His success in the East Midlands saw him move to Chelsea, where he was given the responsibility of leading a young but expensively assembled team back into the Champions League.
Sudden departure from Chelsea
Maresca led Chelsea to a fourth-place finish and victories in both the Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup, but his relationship with the club’s owners soured and he resigned midway through his second season at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea said in a statement on Monday that Maresca had announced his intention to leave midway through his contract after being informed of the opportunity to replace Guardiola at Manchester City.
“He has made it clear that he has a strong desire to become Guardiola’s successor and is committed to pursuing that opportunity, despite having a long-term contract that he has no right to terminate,” Chelsea said in a statement.
“In December 2025, our head coach suddenly and unexpectedly resigned from his position. We were clearly disappointed as we believed his head and heart were focused on another club and another opportunity, despite having only arrived at Chelsea the previous year.”
City also confirmed they held secret talks with Maresca last year when he was still at Chelsea.
The Italian admitted his departure had disrupted Chelsea’s season, parting ways with his successor Liam Rosenior and handing over to caretaker manager Callum MacFarlane, which ultimately saw the club finish ninth.
Maresca said in a statement on Manchester City’s website: “I recognize that leaving Chelsea midway through the season has caused turmoil at the club and I apologize for that. That was not my intention or wish.”
“I was treated well by everyone at Chelsea, we had great success together and I will always cherish the memories.”
Chelsea then appointed Xabi Alonso as manager.
Guardiola’s successor
Maresca now faces the difficult task of replacing Guardiola, the 55-year-old manager who transformed City into one of the powerhouses of English football over a decade.
“City is an incredibly well-run football club. Everything they do is innovative, planned and purposeful,” Maresca said.
“For managers, it’s a dream situation. It gives you the consistency you need to do your job effectively.”
Guardiola, who announced his departure in May, led City to a number of impressive achievements, including six Premier League titles and one Champions League title.
The Spaniard won the League Cup and FA Cup in his final season, capping off an incredible spell at the club, but was unable to lead the team to another dramatic Premier League title win.
