- Enzo Maresca on his way to City
- Will replace Pep Guardiola
- Contract length revealed
Manchester City have agreed a deal which will see Enzo Maresca become the club’s next manager, and it seems the final details are all sorted.
Everything seems to have happened rather quickly. It was not unknown that Enzo Maresca was linked with Man City, but there was still hope Pep Guardiola would stay a matter of days ago.
Now, there is no uncertainty. Maresca will replace Guardiola as manager, ending the 55 year old’s 10-year spell at the Citizens.
The club have not officially confirmed the departure of their long-term head coach, but an announcement is anticipated after Sunday’s Premier League match against Aston Villa.
Man City agree deal with Enzo Marseca
According to Fabrizio Romano, a verbal agreement is now in place between Manchester City and Maresca.
🚨🔵 BREAKING: Enzo Maresca has a total verbal agreement with Manchester City, HERE WE GO!
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 19, 2026
The Italian manager has always been considered the ideal candidate to replace Pep Guardiola.
Deal in place and Maresca will sign an initial three year deal at #MCFC. 🇮🇹
New era, soon. pic.twitter.com/njb3sXRl7w
The Italian will sign a three-year deal at the club where he previously served as Guardiola’s assistant, with the potential to renew further down the line.
Despite a number of candidates being linked with the City job, Maresca has always been considered as the club’s ‘ideal’ candidate.
Maresca has long been a target for Man City
It is now obvious that City have been preparing themselves for Guardiola’s exit, as Maresca has always been lined up for some time.
Ben Jacobs reported that Man City contacted Maresca when he was still at Chelsea, the club he decided to leave back in January.
Enzo Maresca set to replace Pep Guardiola with terms in place.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) May 18, 2026
Understand that after Maresca left Chelsea he spent most of his time in London as well as recharging on a family break in the Maldives.
He was approached by Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A sides. Juventus another… pic.twitter.com/LogiromTMe
The ex-City deputy was contacted by clubs from the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A, including Juventus.
However, he has chosen to join the Sky Blues, having been attracted to the ‘synergy’ of the ongoing project.
City have another transition season on their hands
Shortly before the FA Cup final, Bernardo Silva lamented Man City’s transitional year, pointing to it as the reason why Arsenal are on track to win the Premier League.
That was due to changes in the squad, with legendary stars like Kevin De Bruyne leaving, while new players came in.
Having a managerial switchover is an even bigger transition, especially when Maresca is replacing someone who has been in his existing role for 10 years.
The former Leicester and Chelsea boss will need time to get settled and figure out how to best utilise the players in his team.
This could ultimately have an effect on next season’s overall performance, but hopefully the decision to bring in Maresca will be worth it in the long-term.
