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Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has reportedly signed a three-year deal to succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
The Premier League giants moved quickly to secure their former assistant manager following confirmation of Guardiola’s departure, bringing stability to the Etihad Stadium ahead of an imminent official announcement.
Quick and safe succession of the city
The City hierarchy have decisively concluded their search for a coach following the confirmation of Guardiola’s departure in the summer.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Maresca has signed a three-year deal to take over the top job at Etihad.
The Italian tactician, who previously served as Guardiola’s assistant before enjoying spells at Leicester City and Chelsea, was immediately identified as a prime target to inherit his former mentor’s command.
Guardiola promises unconditional support
Guardiola leaves a monumental legacy in Manchester, having won 20 trophies in ten glorious years and concluding his last campaign with a domestic cup double.
Offering guidance to his incoming successor, the outgoing Catalan mastermind urged the next appointment to remain completely steadfast.
Guardiola said: “When the club tells me who he is, of course I will call him. I will say: ‘Be yourself and the club will support you unconditionally.’
“That is the greatest compliment, or the greatest luck that all the coaches who have been here have had. In bad times you will be more protected than any other club. Be yourself, be free, follow your ideas. Work hard and everything will be fine.”
Squad Regeneration Project Continues
Maresca inherits an incredibly healthy team that is already undergoing an extensive long-term structural review.
During the final 18 months of Guardiola’s tenure, Etihad executives aggressively integrated elite youth profiles, recruiting Rayan Cherki, Abdukodir Khusanov, Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo.
The incoming manager will immediately take on a central role in directing the club’s upcoming summer recruitment strategy, as City look to regain the top-flight crown after finishing runners-up in 2025-26.
Transfer objectives and pre-season planning
Maresca must quickly navigate a demanding summer transfer window to refine specific tactical areas within his legacy squad.
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson has already become the top target to bolster the midfield ranks ahead of pre-season preparations.
Maresca’s immediate challenge will be to manage immense external pressure while implementing his own possession-based philosophy before leading his new team into a grueling campaign on multiple fronts.
FIFA World Cup 2026: How to watch
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 matches of the tournament will be broadcast live on FOX (70) and FS1 (34) and each match will be streamed live and on-demand on both FOX One and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 matches, more than a third of the tournament, will be broadcast in prime time on FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The June 11 opening match between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will be streamed for free on Tubi, as will the United States’ opening match against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET).
