After the strong rumours last night of Pep Guardiola’s departure from Manchester City, it appears they have already found their successor in former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Italian has a deal in place and will sign a three-year deal at City.
Maresca has reportedly always been the ideal candidate for the Cityzens and has completed a verbal agreement with the club.
The Italian won the Club World Cup and the Conference League in his last managerial stint with the Blues, but stepped down from the club on New Years Day this year. During his stint, he also won the Premier League Manager of the Month award on 2 occasions.
The 46-year-old has history with City, after initially managing the U23’s to a Premier League 2 title win, before being assistant to Guardiola himself as the club won a historic treble.
He later joined Leicester City and helped guide them to promotion back to the Premier League. Guardiola has already described Maresca as "one of the best managers in the world", despite his limited experience managing at the world class level.
Why Manchester City Have Chosen Enzo Maresca?
Maresca does not bring the glittering CV to City that Guardiola did, but his experience and knowledge of the club will definitely prove important to the Cityzens.
From working under Pep, the fans will hope that he can continue the Manchester club’s dominance and success. It will be no easy task to replicate what his successor has done at the club, but his tactical prowess and charisma will inspire City supporters.
Despite the strong rumours, there have been no comments from the club as of now.
Pep Guardiola Leaves Behind a Historic Manchester City Legacy
Guardiola leaves City as the most successful manager in the club’s history after transforming them into one of the greatest sides English football has ever seen.
After arriving at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, Guardiola rebuilt the Sky Blues into a relentless winning machine. His second season saw City become the first Premier League side to reach 100 points while also lifting the EFL Cup.
That success was only the beginning. Guardiola later guided City to a historic domestic treble before eventually delivering the club’s first-ever UEFA Champions League title as part of a continental treble-winning campaign.
Across his spell in Manchester, Guardiola completely changed the standards of English football with his positional play, tactical innovation and consistency across multiple competitions.
The Spaniard also collected 13 Premier League Manager of the Month awards and five Premier League Manager of the Season honours during his legendary spell at the club.
Pep Guardiola’s Major Honours at Manchester City
Under Guardiola, City won six Premier League titles, four FA Cups, five EFL Cups and three Community Shields.
He also led the club to UEFA Champions League glory, alongside winning the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup, completing every major trophy available during his time in Manchester.