Man City: Why would Enzo Maresca be the right man to replace Pep Guardiola?

By Phil Blanche, Press Association

Enzo Maresca appears set to succeed Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager.

The 46-year-old Italian is reportedly in advanced talks to take over from Guardiola, whose 10 years at City are ready to come to an end following Sunday’s final game of the season against Aston Villa.

Here, the Press Association looks at whether former Chelsea boss Maresca is the right fit for City and what are the challenges heading his way at the Etihad Stadium.

What is Maresca’s background?

After a playing career as a midfielder that began at West Brom and stopped off in Italy, Spain and Greece, Maresca spent 18 months as one of Manuel Pellegrini’s assistant managers at West Ham until December 2019.

He was appointed manager of Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad in August 2020, winning the Premier League 2 title before a short-lived spell in charge of Italian Serie B club Parma.

So he knows the City way then?

Yes. Maresca returned as Guardiola’s assistant for the 2022-23 season.

It would prove to be a historic campaign as City won the treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.

But Maresca did not hang around in Manchester and became manager of Championship club Leicester in June 2023.

Does he have a good record as manager?

Maresca led Leicester to the Championship title, overcoming a mid-season wobble to hold off Ipswich by one point.

A month later, he was on his way to Chelsea after signing a five-year deal as head coach with an option to extend for a further year.

Chelsea’s fast start under Maresca saw them labelled title contenders, but a young Blues side eventually fell away to finish fourth.

Silverware came in the Conference League and the summer’s expanded FIFA Club World Cup, with the future looking bright at Stamford Bridge.

What went wrong at Chelsea?

Maresca’s 18 months in charge came to an end on New Year’s Day 2026 with the club fifth in the Premier League table – 15 points adrift of leaders Arsenal – and after one win in seven top-flight games.

Speculation about Maresca’s future had intensified amid reports he endured a strained relationship with key club figures.

It was reported that Maresca had informed Chelsea he had been in contact on multiple occasions with City about taking over from Guardiola, despite having three-and-a-half years of his contract to run.

What does City in-tray look like?

Guardiola is leaving a squad expected to challenge for major honours next season.

Heavy investment over the last two windows has seen Antoine Semenyo, Marc Guehi, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Ryan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders all signed.

Nottingham Forest’s England midfielder Elliot Anderson is one potential target with club greats Bernardo Silva and John Stones leaving and rumours linking midfield lynchpin Rodri to Real Madrid.

But Maresca’s biggest task could simply be following Guardiola – a man who won 20 trophies in 10 years at City.