Enzo Maresca appointed as Manchester City’s new manager
Manchester City reportedly paid up to €20 million for Chelsea, with Italian manager Enzo Maresca officially appointed. The decision to quit Stamford Bridge was “my decision alone”.
The decision had been in the air for months, even before manager Josep Guardiola announced he would step down at the end of the season.
An exciting new chapter awaits ✍️ pic.twitter.com/TpsdupPM4B
— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 29, 2026
Maresca’s contract runs until June 2029, making this his third stint at the Etihad, having already worked at the club as a youth team coach in the 2020-21 season and as Guardiola’s assistant manager in the 2022-23 season.
Manchester City hand over keys to Maresca
“Manchester City is a club that I know very well and the opportunity to manage this team is a great opportunity for me,” Maresca told the club’s website.
“City are an incredibly well-run football club. Everything they do is innovative, planned and purposeful. For a manager, it’s a dream situation. It gives me the consistency I need to work effectively.”
“This is my third stay here. I know this club, I know its demands and expectations.
“The quality of the people who work here is what makes it special, and I would like to thank them for their confidence in my abilities.
“I can’t wait to start coaching the players. I want us to win, play good football and enjoy the pressure of representing Manchester City.”
There was some controversy surrounding the appointment, as Manchester City first had to negotiate a release from Chelsea.
Despite being disbanded on January 1, 2026, it was still valid.
Manchester City are reported to be willing to pay up to 20 million euros to terminate his contract by mutual agreement.
After months of confusion over the situation, the 46-year-old has given his version of the situation.
“At the end of December 2025, I made the difficult decision to leave Chelsea. That decision was mine alone. Leaving Chelsea opened the way for me to join Manchester City, a club I knew well,” Maresca said in a separate statement.
“I am very happy to be joining Manchester City. I recognize that leaving Chelsea midway through the season may have caused disruption to the club and I apologize for that. That was not my intention or desire.”
“I was treated well by everyone at Chelsea and together we achieved great success and created memories that I will always cherish. I am grateful to the club, the owners and the fans for the opportunity.”
Maresca’s only coaching experience in Italy was with Parma, lasting just 14 games from May to November 2021.
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