Enzo Maresca Returns to Manchester City as Manager

Manchester City have appointed Enzo Maresca as their new head coach on a three-year contract, bringing the Italian back to the club where he once coached the youth team.

City confirmed the 46-year-old on a deal running until June 2029, tasked with filling one of the most daunting vacancies in football following Pep Guardiola's departure after a decade and 20 major trophies at the Etihad Stadium.

Maresca has strong ties to the club as he previously guided City's under-21 side to the Premier League 2 title and served as an assistant during the historic 2022-23 Treble-winning campaign.

He described returning as a "dream situation," citing the club's culture of innovation and winning as central to his decision.

But the path back to Manchester was anything but straightforward.

Maresca had been appointed Chelsea head coach the previous summer, signing a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge.

According to a formal statement released by Chelsea, the club was informed in autumn 2025 that their manager had become aware of the possibility of succeeding Guardiola at the end of the season, and that he was fully committed to pursuing it, regardless of his contractual obligations.

The situation deteriorated rapidly in December 2025 when Maresca resigned abruptly, leaving Chelsea without a manager midway through a struggling campaign.

Chelsea said they felt "let down," believing his focus had shifted entirely to City.

They said they had no choice but to accept his resignation in order to protect their players, supporters and the club.

Chelsea replaced him with Xabi Alonso and subsequently reached a confidential financial settlement with Manchester City, with the compensation figure reported at £17 million.

Maresca himself also agreed to pay compensation to his former employers under a separate confidential arrangement.

Maresca apologised for the disruption his exit caused, though Chelsea made clear in their public statement the damage done to their season was considerable.

"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," Chelsea said.

At City, Maresca inherits a squad built for sustained success but facing the challenge of a post-Guardiola transition, one of the most scrutinised managerial handovers English football has seen in years.

Maresca's first pre-season as Manchester City manager is expected to begin in early July.