Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has reportedly signed a three-year contract with Manchester City before succeeding Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Italian coach has agreed a deal that will keep him at City until 2029 following Guardiola’s departure from the club on Sunday.
Maresca is also expected to play a major role in recruitment decisions as City prepare for a new era following Guardiola’s successful 10-year spell in Manchester.
Guardiola’s era is coming to an end
Guardiola officially ended his time at City after winning 17 major trophies, including six Premier League titles, the Champions League, three FA Cups and five League Cups.
The Spaniard spoke positively about the club’s future at his farewell event on Monday.
“Everything will be fine. Everything,” said Guardiola.
“I’m pretty sure, knowing the people here.”
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach also backed the club’s hierarchy to support his successor.
“When the club tells me who it will be, I will call him,” added Guardiola.
But the club will support him unconditionally, which is the biggest compliment.
Despite the growing reports, Manchester City insist no final deal has yet been reached over Guardiola’s replacement.
Maresca returns to familiar surroundings
Maresca previously worked under Guardiola as part of Manchester City’s coaching staff before leaving to become manager of Leicester City.
He later joined Chelsea ahead of the 2024-25 campaign but was sacked less than two years later after a difficult spell at Stamford Bridge.
The 46-year-old played 92 games at Chelsea, recording 55 wins, 16 draws and 21 losses.
Reports also claimed that Maresca clashed with the Chelsea board in the weeks leading up to his departure, while speculation linking him to Guardiola’s role had already intensified ahead of his sacking.
