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Former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has reportedly finalized a three-year deal to succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
The Premier League giants moved quickly to sign their former assistant manager after Guardiola’s departure was confirmed, bringing stability to the Etihad Stadium ahead of an imminent official announcement.
The city ensures rapid succession
The City hierarchy have decisively concluded their managerial search after Guardiola’s summer departure was confirmed.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Maresca has signed a three-year deal to take over the Etihad hot seat.
The Italian tactician, who was previously Guardiola’s assistant before enjoying spells at Leicester City and Chelsea, was immediately identified as the top target to inherit the role from his former mentor.
Guardiola pledges unconditional support
Guardiola leaves a monumental legacy in Manchester, having won 20 trophies in ten glorious years, concluding his final campaign with a domestic cup double.
Offering advice to his new successor, the outgoing Catalan mastermind urged the next appointment to remain completely steadfast.
Guardiola said: “When the club tells me who it is, of course I will call him. I will say to him: ‘Be yourself and the club will support you unconditionally’.
“It’s the greatest compliment, or the greatest luck, that all the managers who have been here have had. You will be protected in bad times more than any other club. Be yourself, be free, follow your ideas. Work hard and everything will be fine.”
Squad regeneration project continues
Maresca inherits an incredibly healthy squad that is already undergoing an extensive long-term structural overhaul.
Over the last 18 months of Guardiola’s tenure, the Etihad leadership has aggressively brought in elite young profiles, recruiting Rayan Cherki, Abdukodir Khusanov, Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo.
The new manager will immediately play a central role in leading the club’s summer recruitment strategy as City look to reclaim the top flight crown following their second-placed finish in 2025-26.
Transfer goals and pre-season planning
Maresca must quickly navigate a demanding summer transfer window to refine specific tactical areas within his inherited squad.
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson has already emerged as a top target to strengthen the midfield ranks ahead of pre-season preparations.
Maresca’s immediate challenge will be to deal with immense outside pressure while implementing his own possession-based philosophy before leading his new team through a grueling multi-pronged campaign.
FIFA World Cup 2026: how to watch
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament games will be broadcast live on FOX (70) and FS1 (34), with each game streamed live and on-demand in the FOX One and FOX Sports apps. A record 40 games, more than a third of the tournament, will be broadcast in prime time on FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The June 11 opening match between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will be streamed for free on Tubi, along with the United States’ opening match against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET).
