Manchester City has announced the appointment of Enzo Maresca as the club’s new manager. Maresca has signed a three-year contract, which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2029. This marks his third association with the club, bringing a wealth of experience and success from the elite level of football.
Maresca expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating that Manchester City is a club he knows well and that managing the team presents a brilliant opportunity. He highlighted the club’s innovative, planned, and purposeful approach, describing it as a dream situation for a manager, providing the consistency needed for effective work. He also acknowledged his familiarity with the club’s demands and expectations.
Maresca’s return and club’s vision
The new manager emphasised the quality of the people at Manchester City as a key factor making the club special, thanking them for their faith in his abilities. He is eager to begin coaching the players, with a clear objective to win, play good football, and embrace the pressure associated with representing Manchester City.
Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Manchester City Chairman, believes that Maresca and the club are an ideal match. He noted that the Italian’s preferred style of football aligns perfectly with the club’s values. Al Mubarak described Maresca as someone who consistently seeks challenges and aims for success in his managerial career, bringing a personality, passion, and intelligence that meet the club’s requirements.
Al Mubarak further stated that Maresca is re-joining an organisation that is fully aligned with his ambition and desire for achievement, making his return a natural progression for both him and the club. He anticipates that Maresca will inherit a squad and football organisation well-suited to reflect and evolve his brand of football, and the club looks forward to the impact he will have in building upon its existing success. The chairman concluded by welcoming Maresca back to the club.
Club’s perspective and previous developments
Ferran Soriano, Chief Executive Officer, confirmed that Enzo Maresca was the standout candidate during their selection process. Soriano highlighted Maresca’s known personality and his vision for how football should be played, characterising him as a man of integrity, charisma, and passion. He also pointed to Maresca’s track record at City, noting his distinguished management of the EDS team and his significant contribution to the historic Treble season, in addition to his successes at Chelsea and Leicester.
Soriano assured that Maresca would receive all necessary support to achieve success at Manchester City, and the club is eager to witness his positive impact on its future progress. Everyone at Manchester City extended their best wishes to Maresca as he prepares for this new challenge.
Meanwhile, Chelsea FC issued a statement regarding the departure of their former Head Coach. The club acknowledged that the 2025/26 season was significantly disappointing, largely due to disruptions caused by changes to the Head Coach position during the Christmas period. Chelsea explained that in autumn of the previous year, their former Head Coach informed them of a potential opportunity to succeed Pep Guardiola at the end of the season. It became evident that his strong desire was to pursue this opportunity, despite being under a long-term contract that he was not entitled to terminate.
In December 2025, Chelsea’s Head Coach unexpectedly resigned. The club felt let down, believing his focus had shifted to another club and opportunity, despite having joined Chelsea only the year before. Chelsea stated that no club wishes to change its head coach mid-season, but given his decision not to fulfil his responsibilities until the season’s end, the club had no option but to accept his resignation to protect its players, supporters, and the club’s emblem.
A confidential settlement, including compensation, has been reached with Manchester City, reflecting the mutual respect between the clubs. Additionally, a confidential settlement has been agreed upon with the former Head Coach, under which he will pay compensation. Looking ahead to the next season, Chelsea has appointed Xabi Alonso as Manager, praising his exceptional football mind and high integrity, believing he possesses the attributes to deliver the success expected by the club’s supporters.
Read Also
Source: chelseafc.com
