Manchester City F.C.

·29 June 2026

New Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca, who has signed a three-year contract with the club, brings with him a deeply accomplished and diverse coaching background.

His career has included two spells with the Blues, as well as successful tenures with Leicester City and Chelsea, and early beginnings alongside a former City boss.

Club journalist Neil Leigh traces the Italian’s remarkable footballing journey.

Maresca began his coaching career as part of the backroom staff at Ascoli, Sevilla, and later West Ham United. The 46-year-old first arrived at the City Football Academy (CFA) during the summer of 2020, where he spent a season as the head coach of City’s Elite Development Squad.

During that 2020/21 campaign, Maresca led City’s Under-21s to their first-ever Premier League 2 title.

His EDS side received widespread praise not only for the record-breaking points margin by which they won the title but also for their dynamic and entertaining style of play.

Maresca skillfully shaped a gifted squad that included talents such as Cole Palmer, Liam Delap, James McAtee, and Morgan Rogers, many of whom would go on to achieve significant success at the top level of professional football.

Following a period in charge of Italian club Parma, Enzo returned to the CFA in the summer of 2022, joining Pep Guardiola’s senior first-team coaching staff as a vital and trusted member.

His tactical insight and contributions were instrumental during City’s extraordinary 2022/23 campaign, when the team achieved a historic Treble, capturing the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League titles.

After that triumphant season, Maresca was appointed manager of Leicester City in the summer of 2023, following the Foxes’ relegation from the Premier League.

He made an immediate impact at the King Power Stadium, guiding Leicester to the Championship title and securing their return to the Premier League in his very first season.

Both the achievement itself and the progressive, attacking style of football that delivered it earned Maresca widespread recognition for his tactical intelligence and relentless work ethic.

Building on that success, Enzo took over as Chelsea manager in the summer of 2024, where he continued his impressive trajectory.

In his debut season at Stamford Bridge, he led the London club to a double triumph and secured their return to the UEFA Champions League after a three-year absence.

Chelsea claimed the 2025 UEFA Conference League title in emphatic fashion, defeating Real Betis 4-1 in the final.

Under Maresca’s leadership, the Blues also won the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

In New York, a commanding 3-0 win over European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the final further underscored Maresca’s impressive tactical depth and adaptability.

Before stepping into coaching and management, Enzo Maresca enjoyed an illustrious playing career spanning nearly two decades, excelling as a central and attacking midfielder.

His playing journey included memorable stints with West Bromwich Albion—where he became a fan favourite—followed by spells at Juventus, Fiorentina, Sevilla, Malaga, and Olympiakos, among others.

His trophy cabinet includes a Serie A title, two UEFA Cups, a UEFA Super Cup, a Copa del Rey, and a Supercopa de España. Maresca also represented Italy at the Under-21 level.

Throughout his playing days, Maresca had the opportunity to learn under some of the game’s most respected managers. These included Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi at Juventus, legendary goalkeeper Dino Zoff at Fiorentina, Juande Ramos at Sevilla, Brazilian great Zico at Olympiakos, and former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini during his time at Malaga.