Newly appointed Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has spoken of his excitement at returning to the Etihad Stadium for a third spell, pledging to build on the philosophy and success established by his predecessor, Pep Guardiola.
The Italian coach was officially unveiled by Manchester City after signing a three-year contract, marking the beginning of a new era following Guardiola’s departure.
Speaking in his first interview after taking charge, Maresca described the move as a special return and expressed hope that this chapter would become his longest stay at the club.
“I’m very excited for many reasons. One of them is how big this club is,” Maresca said. “This is the third time I’m working here at City, hopefully this time I stay and don’t leave again.”
Maresca is no stranger to Manchester City’s setup. Before moving into senior management, he worked within the club’s development structure and later became part of Guardiola’s coaching team during City’s historic treble-winning campaign.
Rather than introducing sweeping changes, the former Chelsea boss indicated that his priority would be continuity.
According to Maresca, the club’s decision to appoint him reflects a desire to maintain the football identity developed over recent years.
“The idea is to continue with the same style of football and philosophy,” he explained. “Our aim is to compete, win trophies and keep achieving important things, while adapting our work day by day.”
The appointment comes with significant expectations.
Guardiola leaves behind one of the most successful managerial eras in football history after guiding Manchester City to multiple domestic and international honours over more than a decade, establishing the club among Europe’s elite.
Maresca acknowledged the scale of the challenge but said he is embracing the opportunity.
“It’s a huge challenge because of everything the club has achieved in recent years, but it’s also an exciting one,” he said. “The target is to continue the progress and maintain the standards that have made this period so successful.”
Meanwhile, reports indicate tensions surrounding Maresca’s exit from his previous role, with his former club expressing disappointment over the timing and circumstances of his departure.
City supporters will now be hoping Maresca can successfully guide the club into its next chapter while preserving the winning culture built during Guardiola’s reign.
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