Manchester City has officially announced the appointment of Enzo Maresca as the club’s new manager, taking over from Pep Guardiola. Maresca has signed a three-year contract, which will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2029. This move follows Guardiola’s announcement in May that he would be stepping down at the end of the season.
Maresca expressed his excitement about the new role, describing it as a “dream situation.” He stated that Manchester City is a club he knows very well and considers the opportunity to manage the team a brilliant one. His previous experience with the club includes a stint as one of Guardiola’s assistant managers in 2022, where he played a role in the club’s 2023 Treble victory, securing the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup.
Maresca’s Departure from Chelsea
Prior to joining Manchester City, Maresca managed other football clubs, including Leicester and Chelsea. His departure from Chelsea in January was abrupt, leading to disruption for the London club. Following the public announcement of his new role at Manchester City, Maresca issued an apology for the upheaval caused by his mid-season exit from Chelsea.
He clarified that his resignation from Chelsea opened a path for him to return to Manchester City, a club he was already familiar with. Chelsea FC, in a club statement, acknowledged the disappointment of the 2025/26 season, attributing a major factor to the disruption caused by changes to the Head Coach position over the Christmas period. The club explained that their former Head Coach left on 1 January 2026.
In autumn of the previous year, Chelsea was informed by their 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 Chelsea that his strong desire was to pursue this opportunity, despite being under a long-term contract that he did not have the right to terminate. In December 2025, the Head Coach unexpectedly resigned.
Chelsea stated they felt let down, believing his focus had shifted to another club and opportunity, despite having only arrived at Chelsea the year before. Given his decision not to continue fulfilling his responsibilities through to the end of the season, the club accepted his resignation to protect its players, supporters, and the club’s integrity.
Both Manchester City and Chelsea FC have reached a confidential settlement, which includes the payment of compensation to Chelsea. A confidential settlement has also been reached with the former Head Coach, under which he will pay compensation to Chelsea for his early departure.
Looking Ahead for Chelsea
Looking forward to the next season, Chelsea has appointed Xabi Alonso as their new manager. The club described Alonso as having an exceptional football mind and being a professional of the highest integrity. Chelsea anticipates that Alonso possesses all the necessary attributes to deliver the success that the club’s supporters deserve and expect.
The appointment of Maresca at Manchester City marks a new chapter for the club following Guardiola’s successful tenure. Maresca’s prior experience within the Manchester City system, including his role in their Treble-winning season, is highlighted by the club as a key factor in his selection. The Italian manager now faces the task of continuing the club’s pursuit of major titles.
The transition period for both clubs has involved significant behind-the-scenes discussions and agreements. The compensation arrangements reflect the complexities of managerial changes, especially when contracts are still active. Manchester City‘s chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, has previously spoken positively about Maresca, noting his inspiration from Guardiola’s philosophy while also evolving his own.
Maresca’s return to Manchester City is seen as a strategic move, with the club having long regarded him as a candidate within their succession planning. Conversations between representatives of Manchester City and Maresca took place in autumn and winter of 2025, while he was still Chelsea FC‘s Head Coach, regarding a potential return in a leadership coaching capacity should Pep Guardiola decide to leave. This confirms the long-term planning involved in his appointment.
The club statement from Chelsea FC on 29 June 2026 detailed the sequence of events leading to the managerial change.
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Source: chelseafc.com
George Hartwell is the Senior Football Correspondent at News-GB.org, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with twelve years of reporting experience. He reported on West Country football before national coverage. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of the West of England and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Bristol, he watches grassroots football and writes a tactics column. “Tactics tell you more than any scoreline.”