Manchester City confirm Enzo Maresca as first-team manager on contract till 2029 | OneFootball

Manchester City have announced that Enzo Maresca has succeeded Pep Guardiola as first-team manager as the club enters a new era.

The 46-year-old Italian has put pen to paper on a three-year contract at the Etihad Stadium as officials at the Etihad Stadium embark upon life beyond Guardiola.

Guardiola brought the curtain down on an illustrious decade at the Etihad Stadium in May that saw the Catalan win six Premier League titles and bring a maiden UEFA Champions League title to Manchester City en route to a historic treble in the 2022-23 campaign.

The 55-year-old had another year on his City contract but decided to leave this summer owing to an early exit clause – after months of speculation on his future and plans for next season – whilst the Blues were involved in a heated title race with Arsenal.

City fell just short at the final lap of a valiant effort against Mikel Arteta and co and despite being at a nascent stage of their transition under sporting director Hugo Viana, Guardiola led a new-look group to an impressive FA Cup and Carabao Cup double in his final months as manager.

However, having decided against seeing out the final year of his contract, Guardiola has parted ways with City and the club have finally announced the acquisition of Maresca as the man to lead them on the touchline from the 2026-27 campaign.

Upon becoming the new Manchester City manager, Maresca said: “Manchester City is a club I know very well and to have the chance to manage this team is a brilliant opportunity for me,” as quoted by official club media.

“City is an incredibly well-run football club. Everything they do is innovative, planned and purposeful. For a manager, that is a dream situation. It provides the consistency I need to do my job effectively.

“This will be my third spell here. I know this club, I know the demands and I know the expectations. The quality of the people who work here is what makes it so special, and I want to thank them for showing faith in my ability.

“I cannot wait to start coaching the players. I want us to win, play good football and enjoy the pressure of representing Manchester City.”

Manchester City were locked in compensation talks with Maresca’s former employers Chelsea before they could formally announce the return of the Italian to the Etihad Stadium.

The Blues identified the 46-year-old as the ideal candidate to succeed Guardiola but prolonged legal talks with their Stamford Bridge counterparts delayed an official confirmation, with just weeks before Maresca expects his players to report for pre-season in Manchester.