MANCHESTER City have officially announced the appointment of Enzo Maresca as the replacement for Pep Guardiola, who left the club at the end of last season after a a successful nine-year spell.
“Manchester City are delighted to confirm the appointment of Enzo Maresca as manager,” the English Premier League runners-up stated today.
“The Italian has signed a three-year contract until summer 2029.
“For Maresca it will mark his third spell at the Club, and he arrives armed with a wealth of experience and success at elite level.”
Maresca, who worked as Guardiola’s assistant before taking up the head coach role at Chelsea, said he was delighted to return to City.
“Manchester City is a club I know very well and to have the chance to manage this team is a brilliant opportunity for me,” Maresca said.
“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 Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak believes City and Maresca are a perfect match and says the style of football the Italian favours is a reflection of the club’s values.
“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.
“Welcome home Enzo.”
Chief Executive Officer Ferran Soriano added: “Enzo was the stand-out candidate in our considerations. We know his personality and his vision for the way football should be played. He is a man with integrity, charisma and passion.
“In addition to his successes at Chelsea and Leicester, his City track record speaks for itself. He managed our EDS team with distinction and was a key contributor to the historic Treble season.
“We will ensure that he receives everything he needs to be successful here and we are all very much looking forward to seeing his positive impact on the next phase of the Club’s progress.”
Manchester City are believed to have paid Chelsea £17 million in compensation after the 46-year-old quit the London club suddenly last December.
