Manchester City have appointed Enzo Maresca as their new manager, the Premier League club announced on Monday. The Italian replaces outgoing coach Pep Guardiola from next season and has signed a three-year contract that runs until the summer of 2029.
Maresca's third stint at Manchester City
This will be Maresca's third spell at the club. He previously worked as Pep Guardiola's assistant during Manchester City's historic treble-winning season in 2023 and also managed the club's Elite Development Squad (EDS), guiding them to the Premier League 2 title in the 2020/21 season during his only year in charge.
Maresca expressed his excitement about the opportunity, stating, "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."
Chairman and CEO praise Maresca
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak highlighted the strong fit between the club and Maresca. "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," he said.
Al Mubarak added, "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." He concluded with, "Welcome home Enzo."
Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano described Maresca as the standout candidate for the role. "Enzo was the stand-out candidate in our considerations. We know his personality and his vision for the way football should be played. He is a man with integrity, charisma and passion. In addition to his successes at Chelsea and Leicester, his City track record speaks for itself. He managed our EDS team with distinction and was a key contributor to the historic Treble season. We will ensure that he receives everything he needs to be successful here and we are all very much looking forward to seeing his positive impact on the next phase of the Club's progress," Soriano said.
Maresca's vision for the team
Maresca also praised the quality of the people at Manchester City and thanked them for their trust. He said, "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."
Maresca, 46, returns with significant experience and success at the top level, having also managed Chelsea and Leicester City. His appointment marks a new chapter for Manchester City as they look to build on their recent successes under Guardiola.
