Manchester City confirmed on Monday that Enzo Maresca will take over as manager on a three-year deal, succeeding Pep Guardiola after a decade of unprecedented success at the Etihad Stadium. The 46-year-old Italian, who served as Guardiola’s assistant during the club’s 2022-23 treble-winning campaign, returns for a third spell having previously coached the Elite Development Squad. The appointment ends weeks of delay caused by negotiations over a compensation package with Chelsea, where Maresca’s contract still had more than three years to run when he departed on New Year’s Day.

The acrimony surrounding that exit was laid bare in an extraordinary statement released by Chelsea simultaneously with City’s announcement. The London club said Maresca had informed them in the autumn of 2025 that he might have the chance to replace Guardiola, and that it became clear he was “fully committed to pursuing the opportunity” despite being under a long-term contract. Chelsea felt “let down” when he abruptly resigned in December, and the statement directly blamed the disruption for a “hugely disappointing” season in which they finished tenth and missed European qualification. A confidential settlement saw City pay around £17 million in compensation, while Maresca himself agreed to pay damages to his former employer. In a separate message on social media, the Italian apologised for the “disorder” his mid-season departure caused.

Maresca inherits a squad in transition. Guardiola left in May after collecting 17 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and the club’s first Champions League, but his final two campaigns yielded no league crown — Arsenal claimed the 2025-26 title, leaving City second. The new manager’s own credentials include leading Leicester City to the Championship title in 2024 and, in his one full season at Chelsea, winning the Conference League and Club World Cup while securing a top-four finish. His deep familiarity with City’s structure and playing philosophy was cited by chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak as a natural fit, and chief executive Ferran Soriano described him as the standout candidate in the club’s assessments.

Maresca’s first task will be to oversee a pre-season that begins in late July, with a tour of Hong Kong and Seoul followed by the Community Shield against Arsenal on 16 August. City have already moved in the transfer market, agreeing a club-record deal for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, and reports in the British and Italian press link them with a bid for Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali. Chelsea, meanwhile, have turned to Xabi Alonso, whose appointment was confirmed in the same statement that rebuked Maresca, as they seek to rebuild after a turbulent year.