Manchester City to appoint Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola successor
Manchester City have reached a verbal agreement to appoint former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola’s successor on a three-year contract.
The Italian tactician is expected to travel to the North West within the next 24 hours to finalise the move.
City will reportedly pay Chelsea more than £17m in compensation to secure his services.
The 46-year-old has been out of work since leaving Stamford Bridge by mutual consent on New Year’s Day.
A familiar face returns to the Etihad
This imminent appointment marks a return to familiar surroundings for the highly-rated coach.
He previously served as Guardiola’s assistant during the club’s historic treble-winning campaign in 2023.
Before joining the first-team coaching staff, he successfully guided City’s Elite Development Squad to the Premier League 2 title during the 2020/21 season.
Replacing a managerial legend
Guardiola departed the Manchester club at the end of the 2025/26 campaign following a glittering decade in charge.
The Catalan won 17 major trophies during his tenure but stepped down after Arsenal beat City to the Premier League title.
His successor arrives with his own recent pedigree, having led Chelsea to both UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup glory last summer.
Despite his subsequent mid-season departure, the London side sat fifth in the table under his leadership before ultimately finishing a disappointing tenth.
