Enzo Maresca “cannot wait to start coaching the players” after signing a three-year contract to become Pep Guardiola’s successor as Manchester City manager.
It is being reported by Sky in Italy that Maresca has paid his former employers Chelsea €20 million in compensation so he can take the reins at the Etihad Stadium.
And the 46-year-old is excited about continuing the fine work done by Guardiola during his trophy-laden spell in Manchester.
Former Barcelona boss Guardiola announced in the final week of the 2025/26 campaign that he would leave Man City after 10 years in charge, during which time he won 17 major trophies.
Brilliant opportunity
He said in a statement on Sky Sports: “Manchester City is a club I know very well and to have the chance to manage this team is a brilliant opportunity for me.
“City is an incredibly well-run football club. Everything they do is innovative, planned and purposeful.
“For a manager, that is a dream situation. It provides the consistency I need to do my job effectively.
“This will be my third spell here. I know this club, I know the demands and I know the expectations.
“The quality of the people who work here is what makes it so special, and I want to thank them for showing faith in my ability.
“I cannot wait to start coaching the players. I want us to win, play good football and enjoy the pressure of representing Manchester City.”
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Chelsea statement
Xabi Alonso is now in charge at Chelsea, who released their own statement following the confirmation that Maresca is now the manager of Man City.
The London club said: “Chelsea FC appreciates the 2025/26 season was a hugely disappointing one for the Club and its supporters.
“A major contributing factor was the disruption caused as a result of changes that the Club was forced to make to the Head Coach position over the Christmas period.
“Due to recent developments, we consider that it is important to explain to our supporters what happened and why our former Head Coach left the Club on 1 January 2026.
“In Autumn last year, the Club was informed by our former Head Coach that there might be an opportunity for him to succeed Pep Guardiola at the end of the season.
“It became clear to us that it was his strong desire to succeed Guardiola and that he was fully committed to pursuing the opportunity, despite the fact he was under a long-term contract which he had no right to terminate.
“In December 2025, our Head Coach unexpectedly and abruptly resigned from his position.”
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Let down
The statement continued: “Obviously, we felt let down as we believed that his head and heart were focused on another club and another opportunity, despite having just arrived at Chelsea the year before.
“No club wants to change its head coach midway through a season.
“However, in light of his decision not to continue fulfilling his responsibilities through to the end of the season, the Club was left with no choice but to protect our players, our supporters and the Badge and accept his resignation.
“In the circumstances and given the mutual respect between clubs, a confidential settlement has been reached with Manchester City, which includes the payment of compensation.
“A confidential settlement has also been reached with the former Head Coach under which he will pay compensation.
“Looking forward to next season, in Xabi Alonso, we have a Manager who has an exceptional football mind and is a professional of the highest integrity.
“He has all the attributes to deliver the success the Club’s supporters deserve and expect.”
Maresca has been out of work since leaving Chelsea and had three and a half years left on his contract with the Blues.
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