Enzo Maresca is an Italian football manager and former professional midfielder who has been appointed as the new head coach of Manchester City, succeeding the legendary Pep Guardiola. He gained public attention for his rapid rise in management leading Leicester City to the Championship title, winning silverware at Chelsea, and now returning to the club where he previously served as Guardiola’s assistant during their historic Treble-winning season.
Quick Facts:
Full Name: Enzo Maresca
Age: 46 (born February 10, 1980)
Nationality: Italian
Occupation: Football Manager (Head Coach of Manchester City)
Known For: Succeeding Pep Guardiola at Manchester City; winning the Championship with Leicester City; winning the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup with Chelsea
Marital Status: Not confirmed
Children: Not confirmed
Early Life and Background
Born in Italy, Maresca began his playing career as a midfielder in Serie A before moving to England as an 18-year-old to join West Bromwich Albion in 1998, an experience he credits with helping him mature as both a player and a person. His playing career spanned almost two decades across Europe, including spells at Juventus, Sevilla, and Malaga.
Career and Achievements
Maresca’s playing career saw him win Serie A with Juventus alongside Zinedine Zidane and Alessandro Del Piero, and lift the UEFA Cup twice with Sevilla. He also played under Manuel Pellegrini at Malaga, who identified his coaching potential early on.
After retiring, Maresca moved into coaching, first joining Manchester City in 2020 as lead coach of the Elite Development Squad, guiding the under-21s to the Premier League 2 title. He then became Pep Guardiola’s assistant coach during the 2022-23 season, playing a key role in City’s historic Treble of Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.
In 2023, Maresca took his first senior managerial role at Leicester City, winning the Championship and securing promotion back to the Premier League in his first season. In 2024, he moved to Chelsea, where he won the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup, and guided the club back into the Champions League.
On June 29, 2026, Manchester City appointed Maresca as Guardiola’s successor on a three-year contract, paying Chelsea £17 million in compensation.
Major Event or Controversy
Maresca’s departure from Chelsea in December 2025 sparked significant controversy. He unexpectedly resigned midway through his second season to pursue the opportunity to succeed Guardiola at Manchester City. Chelsea released a public statement blaming him for the disruption that contributed to their disappointing 10th-place finish, stating they “felt let down” as he was under a long-term contract. A confidential settlement was reached, with Maresca reportedly paying compensation to Chelsea.
Why He Is In the News:
Maresca is in the news after being officially appointed as Manchester City’s new head coach, tasked with the monumental challenge of replacing Pep Guardiola, who won 20 trophies in 10 years at the club. The appointment ends weeks of speculation, with Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak praising Maresca’s philosophy and describing the challenge as one he “actually wants” and “loves”.
Conclusion
Enzo Maresca is a highly rated coach who has rapidly ascended through the managerial ranks, winning silverware at every stop. Now entrusted with continuing Guardiola’s legacy at Manchester City, he faces the daunting task of maintaining the club’s dominance while forging his own identity with Guardiola himself having previously called him “one of the best managers in the world”.
