Man City appoint Enzo Maresca as Guardiola’s successor

Manchester City have appointed Enzo Maresca as their new head coach after agreeing a compensation package worth more than £17 million (€20 million) with Chelsea.

The 46-year-old Italian has signed a three-year contract to succeed Pep Guardiola, who stepped down in May after a trophy-laden decade at the Etihad Stadium.

Maresca is no stranger to City, having served as Guardiola’s assistant during the club’s historic Treble-winning campaign in 2022-23. He also guided City’s Elite Development Squad to the Premier League 2 title in the 2020-21 season.

Negotiations between City and Chelsea delayed the announcement as both clubs worked to finalise a compensation package. BBC Sport reports that City will pay Chelsea around £17 million for the Italian’s release.

The agreement is separate from the confidential compensation settlement Chelsea say they reached with Maresca following his departure from Stamford Bridge.

Maresca left Chelsea in January after the Blues won just one of their previous seven Premier League matches.

Although Chelsea initially described the exit as a mutual decision, Maresca has since revealed that he resigned from his role, admitting the decision paved the way for his return to Manchester City.

“I handed in my resignation, and it opened a path for me to join City,” Maresca said.

Chelsea confirmed that Maresca had chosen “not to continue fulfilling his responsibilities” and announced that both parties had reached a confidential agreement regarding compensation.

The Italian also apologised to Chelsea supporters for the timing of his departure.

“The decision was only mine,” Maresca wrote on Instagram.

“I recognise that my departure from Chelsea in the middle of the season caused disruption for the club and I apologise for that. It was neither my intention nor my wish.”

Maresca now returns to the Etihad with the task of building on Guardiola’s remarkable legacy as Manchester City begin a new era under one of the Spaniard’s most trusted former assistants.