Manchester City has reportedly reached an agreement with former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca to succeed Pep Guardiola at the Etihad. According to several sources, the two parties have finalized a deal running through 2028, with an option for an additional year, though City has yet to make an official announcement.
Speculation about the transition intensified following reports that Guardiola has already informed his squad of his decision to step down at the end of the 2025/26 season, despite having a year remaining on his contract. Maresca remains a highly favored figure among Etihad executives, largely due to his history as Guardiola’s assistant during the historic Treble-winning season, alongside his impressive managerial stints at Leicester City and Chelsea.
Why did Manchester City consider Enzo Maresca a perfect replacement for Guardiola?
The City hierarchy reportedly views the Italian tactician as the ideal candidate to preserve Guardiola’s distinct possession-based philosophy. Maresca boasts a strong managerial resume, having clinched the Championship title with Leicester before guiding Chelsea to UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup glory prior to his departure. Meanwhile, Guardiola will look to finish his tenure on a high, aiming to add a hard-fought Premier League title to his Carabao Cup and FA Cup triumphs this season.
