By OkayGoal 
Manchester City have appointed Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola’s successor on a three-year contract.
Italian Maresca has been out of work since leaving Chelsea after a tempestuous end to his 19-month reign on January 1, having been booed during a draw at home to Bournemouth as part of a run of one win in nine matches.
Spaniard Guardiola had been in charge since February 2016 and won 20 trophies but used a break clause in his contract to end his deal a year early.
Speaking for the first time as Manchester City boss, Maresca said: “Manchester City is a club I know very well and to have the chance to manage this team is a brilliant opportunity for me.
“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.
“This will be my third spell here. I know this Club, I know the demands and I know the expectations.
“The quality of the people who work here is what makes it so special, and I want to thank them for showing faith in my ability.
“I cannot wait to start coaching the players. I want us to win, play good football and enjoy the pressure of representing Manchester City.”
Manchester City Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak added: “Enzo is someone who has always sought out opportunities to challenge himself and succeed in his managerial career. He brings a personality, passion and intelligence completely aligned to our needs.
“He is re-joining an organisation that is entirely in lock-step with his ambition and hunger for achievement and his return to Manchester City is therefore a welcome natural next step for both him and the Club.
“Enzo inherits a squad and football organisation perfectly suited to reflect and evolve his brand of football, and we are all very much looking forward to seeing the impact he can have in building further on the Club’s success.
“Welcome home Enzo.”
Chelsea release statement after Maresca appointment
Chelsea have released a statement following the appointment, claiming they felt “let down” after their former boss resigned.
The statement read: “Chelsea FC appreciates the 2025/26 season was a hugely disappointing one for the Club and its supporters. A major contributing factor was the disruption caused as a result of changes that the Club was forced to make to the Head Coach position over the Christmas period.
“Due to recent developments, we consider that it is important to explain to our supporters what happened and why our former Head Coach left the Club on 1 January 2026.
“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. 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 he was under a long-term contract which he had no right to terminate.
“In December 2025, our Head Coach unexpectedly and abruptly resigned from his position. Obviously, we felt let down as we believed that his head and heart were focused on another club and another opportunity, despite having just arrived at Chelsea the year before.
“No club wants to change its head coach midway through a season. However, in light of his decision not to continue fulfilling his responsibilities through to the end of the season, the Club was left with no choice but to protect our players, our supporters, and the Badge and accept his resignation.
“In the circumstances and given the mutual respect between clubs, a confidential settlement has been reached with Manchester City, which includes the payment of compensation. A confidential settlement has also been reached with the former Head Coach under which he will pay compensation.
“Looking forward to next season, in Xabi Alonso, we have a Manager who has an exceptional football mind and is a professional of the highest integrity. He has all the attributes to deliver the success the Club’s supporters deserve and expect.”
Analysis: Why Man City have chosen Enzo Maresca
City have long been linked with Maresca, who was one of Guardiola’s assistants when the club won the treble in 2022/23.
The 46-year-old has been lauded by Guardiola and has a style closely reflecting the Spaniard’s approach, using patient build-up play and flexible player positioning and movement.
Maresca’s experience of the pressure of managing a major Premier League club could help him navigate what is likely to be a time of significant transition for City, who were transformed by Guardiola but underperformed for a second successive season in the league in 2025/26, having earned four titles in a row until 2024/25.
They won last season’s FA Cup and EFL Cup and were spearheaded by the 27-goal Premier League top scorer in Erling Haaland but influential playmaker Bernardo Silva has left after 451 appearances, Ballon d’Or winner Rodri’s future is uncertain and former Premier League Player of the Season Phil Foden’s form has nosedived.
A ruling over more than 100 charges of alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules also continues to loom.
Chelsea were aware of City’s interest early last season through his agent, Jorge Mendes, according to BBC Sport.
After Guardiola’s exit was announced in May, the outlet reported that Maresca had already been in advanced talks with the club and said Chelsea had been exploring their legal options over an expected compensation package from City or Maresca.
Enzo Maresca stats, Chelsea record
A midfielder for clubs including West Bromwich Albion, Juventus, Fiorentina, Sevilla and Olympiacos during a senior playing career from 1998 to 2017, Maresca led Chelsea’s Elite Development Squad in 2020/21, guiding the squad to a first-ever Premier League 2 title.
He then had a brief spell at Italian side Parma in 2021 before becoming part of Guardiola’s staff at City in June 2022, enjoying a spectacular subsequent season including glory in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
A move to Championship side Leicester City as manager followed in June 2023, winning the second-tier title and promotion to the top flight.
In Maresca’s only full season, Chelsea sealed fourth place on the final day of their 2024/25 league campaign to return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2021/22 season and won the Conference League.
They won the Club World Cup in New Jersey in July 2025, beating Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final.
In cryptic remarks after Chelsea’s 2-0 home win over Everton on December 13, Maresca described the preceding 48 hours as “the hardest” since he joined the club “because so many people didn’t support me and the team.”
The 45-year-old said his comments were not about fans but did not elaborate on them or clarify the subject of his disgruntlement.
Reacting to questions about a move to City shortly before his departure, Maresca called the rumours “100% speculation” and pointed out that his contract at Chelsea ran until 2029.
“At this moment, there is no time for these kind of things,” he said. “My focus, as I’ve said many times, is just about [Chelsea]. I’m very proud to be here.”
What Pep Guardiola has said about Enzo Maresca
Speaking before City’s defeat at home to Aston Villa in his final game in charge, Guardiola called Maresca “one of the best managers in the world” and said he “does not get enough credit” for his work at Chelsea.
“Winning the Club World Cup and Conference League and qualifying for the Champions League, in a league that is so tough with a young team – it is exceptional,” added Guardiola.
Guardiola previously said Maresca had “inspired” him as an assistant and called himself “lucky” to work with the “incredibly lovely person”.
“If he’s fine, I am fine,” Guardiola said in January 2025, discussing Maresca’s progress at Chelsea (via City’s website). “I’m happy for him.”
When is Maresca’s first match as Manchester City manager?
Maresca’s first game in charge could be against Inter in Hong Kong on August 1, which was the only pre-season fixture the club had confirmed at the start of June.
They will also face Premier League champions Arsenal in the Community Shield on August 16.
The 2026/27 Premier League fixtures will be announced on Friday, June 19 at 10:00 BST (05:00 ET / 02:00 BT).
The 2026/27 Premier League season starts on the weekend of August 22, 2026 and ends on May 30, 2027.