Manchester City are close to announcing Enzo Maresca as their new manager following the departure of Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola left Manchester City at the end of the 2025/26 season after 10 successful years at the club. During his time at the Etihad Stadium, he won 20 major trophies, including six Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League title, three FA Cups, five League Cups, three Community Shields, one UEFA Super Cup, and one FIFA Club World Cup.
Guardiola decided to leave because he felt it was the right time for a new challenge and wanted a break after many years of managing at the highest level. His departure brought an end to one of the most successful periods in Manchester City’s history.
Manchester City believe Maresca is the best person to replace Guardiola. The two worked together at Manchester City during the 2022/23 season, when Maresca served as Guardiola’s assistant manager. Together, they helped City win a historic treble, lifting the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League.
The club’s announcement has been delayed because Maresca still has contractual obligations with Chelsea. He left Chelsea with three-and-a-half years remaining on his contract, meaning Manchester City has to complete the necessary agreements before officially confirming his appointment.
Negotiation talks between City and Chelsea begin on June 8, and the compensation package is estimated to be around 10 million pounds.
According to Sky Sports Senior Reporter Kaveh Solhekol, “ Chelsea believe Maresca was approached in the autumn about the possibility of taking over from Pep Guardiola this summer.
“I think Chelsea’s thinking has been that he has contractual obligations to us. We are not just going to rip up his contract and let him become the Manchester City head coach. We have to defend the interests of Chelsea.
“We have to stick to the letter of his contract, and we have to make sure that we are represented and looked after in these negotiations. That’s why I think for a few weeks talks have been happening behind the scenes between the two clubs and their lawyers as well”.
Maresca has coached Manchester City’s youth team, Parma, Leicester City, and Chelsea. He has won three trophies as a manager, the Championship with Leicester City, the UEFA Conference League, and the FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea. Maresca is expected to start straight away and prepare the team for the new Premier League season, which starts in August 2026.
