Manchester City have finally confirmed that Enzo Maresca has been appointed as their new manager, succeeding Pep Guardiola. Guardiola oversaw his final match in charge of City in a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in their last Premier League match of the season.
Guardiola's Legacy
Guardiola spent 10 years as City manager following his appointment in 2016, winning 20 major trophies during his time in Manchester, including the FA Cup and Carabao Cup this season. He issued a farewell to City supporters during an after-party at the Co-op Live in Manchester following a trophy parade through the city last month.
"I think, first of all, thank you so much for coming tonight to say bye," Guardiola said to the thousands of fans inside the arena. "To say bye to John [Stones] and Bernie [Bernardo Silva] and all these incredible legends like Vinny [Vincent Kompany], Fernandinho, Eddy [Ederson], Jack [Grealish], all of them and many, many more. I feel tonight that really means that connection that this club, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, and all the people and all the City fans that were connected from the first minute. Thank you so much, I don't have enough gratitude. Always I will have, for the rest of my life, have you in my heart. Thank you so much."
Maresca's Appointment
Maresca had been widely reported as the potential successor to Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium, and City have now confirmed the news after reaching a settlement with Chelsea. Maresca was previously manager of Chelsea from the summer of 2024 until his departure on New Year's Day, having also spent a year at Leicester City where he secured promotion from the Championship. The 46-year-old guided the Londoners to victory in the Europa Conference League last season and then won the FIFA Club World Cup a few weeks later last summer.
