Maresca, 46, signed a three-year contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2029, as City move to maintain continuity at the highest level of European football after a highly successful Guardiola era.
The appointment was confirmed on Monday, with Maresca expressing both pride and familiarity with the club he now returns to in a senior leadership role.
“Manchester City is a club I know very well and to have the chance to manage this team is a brilliant opportunity for me,” he said.
He also praised the club’s structure and long-term planning, adding: “City is an incredibly well-run football club. Everything they do is innovative, planned and purposeful. For a manager, that is a dream situation. It provides the consistency I need to do my job effectively.”
“This will be my third spell here”
Maresca highlighted his long-standing connection with the club, noting that his return feels like a continuation of a familiar journey.
“This will be my third spell here. I know this club, I know the demands and I know the expectations,” he said.
He also acknowledged the people behind the scenes who supported his appointment, stating: “The quality of the people who work here is what makes it so special, and I want to thank them for showing faith in my ability.”
Looking ahead, the Italian coach outlined his ambitions clearly: “I cannot wait to start coaching the players. I want us to win, play good football and enjoy the pressure of representing Manchester City.”
A New Era at the Etihad
Maresca takes charge of a club widely regarded as one of the most dominant forces in modern football, with expectations to sustain domestic and European success built under Guardiola’s leadership.
His arrival signals both continuity and change—retaining City’s possession-based identity while introducing his own managerial approach shaped by previous roles at clubs such as Leicester City F.C. and Chelsea F.C..
Pressure and Expectations Ahead
Stepping into one of the most demanding managerial roles in world football, Maresca inherits a squad accustomed to winning trophies and competing at the highest level consistently.
While comparisons with Guardiola are inevitable, the club’s decision reflects confidence in Maresca’s tactical discipline and familiarity with City’s football philosophy.
For the Italian coach, the message is already clear—success will not just be expected, but demanded.