Maresca confirmed as Pep Guardiola's successor at Man City after Chelsea settlement

Manchester City have confirmed Enzo Maresca as their new manager, ending weeks of speculation over who would succeed Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium. The appointment comes after Chelsea released a pointed statement revealing that Maresca resigned from his role at Stamford Bridge on 1 January 2026, having made clear his intention to pursue the City position despite being under a long-term contract.

Guardiola, who was appointed City manager in 2016, signed off with a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the final Premier League match of last season. During his decade in Manchester, the Spaniard won 20 major trophies, including the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in his final campaign.

Maresca, 46, arrives at City with a strong recent record. He guided Chelsea to the UEFA Conference League title last season before adding the FIFA Club World Cup a few weeks later. Prior to Chelsea, he spent a year at Leicester City, winning promotion from the Championship.

Chelsea’s statement made little effort to conceal their frustration at how events unfolded. The club said they were informed in autumn 2025 that Maresca had identified the City role as an opportunity he was determined to pursue. “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,” the statement read.

Chelsea added that Maresca “unexpectedly and abruptly resigned” in December 2025, leaving the club with no option but to accept his departure mid-season. “No club wants to change its head coach midway through a season,” the statement continued. “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.”

The London club confirmed that a confidential financial settlement, including compensation, has since been reached with Manchester City. Chelsea described the disruption caused by the mid-season coaching change as “a major contributing factor” in what they acknowledged was “a hugely disappointing” 2025-26 season for the club and its supporters.

Maresca now faces the considerable challenge of filling Guardiola’s role at a City side that remains among the most expensively assembled squads in world football.