How Will Manchester City Change Under Enzo Maresca’s Control?
Manchester City has officially appointed Enzo Maresca as their new manager, succeeding Pep Guardiola who departed after a decade of unprecedented success. Maresca, a former assistant to Guardiola, is seen as a continuity candidate, expected to uphold the club's established principles. However, his appointment raises questions given his recent underwhelming tenure at Chelsea, where his possession-based style was criticized for lacking purpose. Despite inheriting a strong squad that underwent a generational transition, with key players leaving and younger talents arriving, Maresca faces immense pressure to maintain City's high standards. The club is reportedly close to signing Elliot Anderson, a move that could aid Maresca in implementing his vision, though some fans remain uncertain about his suitability for the top job.
Manchester City confirmed the worst-kept secret in the Premier League by announcing the appointment of Enzo Maresca as the club’s new manager. The Italian takes over from Pep Guardiola who departed the Etihad Stadium at the end of the 2025/26 season after a decade of glittering success. Maresca has big boots to fill.
City is counting on Maresca being able to build on what Guardiola has left behind. He is the continuity candidate having worked alongside Guardiola as the Catalan’s assistant a number of years ago. The Italian believes in the same principles as his former mentor and that’s why Manchester City has hired him.
On his own soccer qualifications, though, Maresca wasn’t the most obvious pick to replace one of the best managers of all-time. He left Chelsea at the end of 2025 after an underwhelming first half of the season and doesn’t have much experience at the elite level of the sport behind him.
Chelsea supporters found Maresca’s style of play to be one-dimensional at times. While the Blues controlled possession in the majority of their matches under the Italian, their passing was frequently without a purpose. Manchester City fans will demand more from their team this coming season and beyond.
Guardiola has left behind a team that should be able to compete for prizes at the top of the domestic and continental game. While Arsenal ultimately won the Premier League title last season, City pushed the eventual champions close for a lot of the campaign. Guardiola also won the Carabao Cup in his final season in charge.
The last 18 months or so has witnessed a generational transition take place at Manchester City. The likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Ederson, Ilkay Gundogan and Kyle Walker have all departed the club with Bernardo Silva and John Stones also leaving this summer. In their place, City have signed a number of younger players with a point to prove.
Maresca will inherit a team in good shape. Manchester City is reportedly close to landing the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest with the England international someone who will help Maresca impose his ideas. Anderson is one of the best deep-lying ball-players in the Premier League right now.
Standards are high at the Etihad Stadium after 10 years of Guardiola and Manchester City is counting on Maresca being the right man to keep this going even if many of the club’s own supporters are unsure. This could be the perfect platform for the Italian to prove he belongs at the very top.