Enzo Maresca agrees terms on Man City contract to replace Pep Guardiola | OneFootball

Former Chelsea manager set to replace one of the most-decorated coaches in English football history

It was reported on Monday that Guardiola will leave City after their final game of the season against Aston Villa on Sunday, and City are making plans for a farewell parade on Monday in conjunction with their women's team winning the Women's Super League title.

Standard Sport understands that Maresca is in advanced talks with City to replace Guardiola. An initial three-year deal has been agreed in principle.

Maresca previously coached at Manchester City, so is familiar with the club’s style of play as a former assistant of Guardiola’s.

His downfall at Chelsea involved him showing an interest in the City job in case it was about to become available at the end of the season, and calling the days leading up to the Everton match on December 13 as his “worst 48 hours” at Chelsea. Maresca informed Chelsea while he was still in the job that City had contacted him and that he had held exploratory talks with them.

On New Year’s Day, the Italian and Chelsea parted ways after Maresca had spent 18 months at Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Maresca and Pep Guardiola

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In 2024, he secured a return to the Premier League with Leicester City by earning them promotion. He then won the Conference League and Club World Cup at Chelsea before a fallout with the club’s hierarchy led to his exit.

Maresca is now set to be the manager trusted with continuing the era-defining work of Guardiola, who has won 20 trophies with City and been the pivotal figure in the Manchester club becoming one of English football’s most successful clubs as a leading club within the so-called ‘big six’.

The latest of those trophies came last weekend when Antoine Semenyo’s winning goal helped City beat Chelsea at Wembley to win the FA Cup.

Guardiola previously expressed his admiration for Maresca, when he said: “One of the best managers in the world, Enzo Maresca, I know him quite well, but the job he has done at Chelsea does not get enough credit.

Willy Caballero could form part of Maresca’s coaching staff at City if the move is finalised. The goalkeeper spent three seasons playing for City and was then a member of Maresca’s coaching staff at both Leicester and Chelsea.