Manchester City officially appoint Enzo Maresca as manager

Manchester City have ushered in a new era at the Etihad following the departure of Pep Guardiola, with the club confirming a high-profile managerial change ahead of the new season.

The move signals the beginning of a fresh project designed to maintain the club’s dominance at the top level.

Attention quickly turned to who would be trusted to continue that legacy after one of the most successful managerial reigns in modern football.

City’s leadership moved swiftly to secure a familiar face with deep ties to the club’s internal structure and philosophy.

Enzo Maresca officially named Manchester City manager

That appointment has now been officially confirmed as Enzo Maresca returns to Manchester City, signing a three-year contract that runs until the summer of 2029, as they announced on their website.

It marks his third spell at the club in different capacities, bringing him back with a stronger managerial profile built through experience at elite level.

The Italian is expected to step straight into one of the most demanding roles in world football, inheriting a squad built for sustained success.

Enzo Maresca expressed his pride at returning to the club, highlighting both his familiarity with the environment and his ambition moving forward.

He 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.”

“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.”

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak also welcomed the appointment, describing Maresca as a natural fit for the club’s long-term direction and footballing identity.

He praised the Italian’s ambition and alignment with City’s broader sporting model, while emphasising the importance of continuity despite the managerial change.

“Enzo is someone who has always sought out opportunities to challenge himself and succeed in his managerial career. He brings a personality, passion and intelligence completely aligned to our needs.

“He is re-joining an organisation that is entirely in lock-step with his ambition and hunger for achievement and his return to Manchester City is therefore a welcome natural next step for both him and the Club.

“Enzo inherits a squad and football organisation perfectly suited to reflect and evolve his brand of football, and we are all very much looking forward to seeing the impact he can have in building further on the Club’s success.”

Maresca is also no stranger to Manchester United, having faced the club three times during his spell in charge of Chelsea.

Across those meetings, he recorded one win, one draw and one defeat, including tightly contested Premier League encounters that highlighted the intensity of the rivalry.

His arrival at City now adds another intriguing layer to the Manchester managerial landscape, especially given his direct recent history against their city rivals.