Manchester City have appointed Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola's successor, with the Italian representing a continuity candidate after his previous roles as Elite Development Squad manager and assistant to Guardiola. Maresca's links to the club stretch back beyond Guardiola's tenure, having played for and coached under Manuel Pellegrini, the manager Guardiola replaced.
Maresca's willingness to prioritise City was evident months ago, contributing to a breakdown in his relationship with Chelsea. His appointment comes despite strong credentials from other Guardiola disciples such as Mikel Arteta, Vincent Kompany, and Xabi Alonso, though Arteta and Kompany have already secured top roles elsewhere.
His managerial career includes a brief stint at Parma, winning the Championship with Leicester City, and a mixed record at Chelsea where he finished fourth and fifth in the Premier League, won the Conference League, and triumphed in the Club World Cup. Maresca was part of Guardiola's treble-winning campaign in 2022-23.
However, he inherits a significantly changed squad, with only a handful of players remaining from that era, and a new director of football in Hugo Viana. Despite challenges at Chelsea under BlueCo, Maresca maintained credibility in the dressing room, particularly among Spanish-speaking players.
