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After ten years of Pep Guardiola’s reign and Manchester City’s dominance across English and European football, a new chapter has begun at the Etihad Stadium with Enzo Maresca stepping into the managerial role.

The Italian coach, who previously managed Chelsea and served as Guardiola’s assistant, has signed a three-year contract to lead the Cityzens. Maresca, who once guided Manchester City’s Under-21 team, played a crucial role in the club’s treble-winning campaign in 2022/23.

As one of the standout graduates of Guardiola’s ‘coaching academy’, Maresca sought to establish himself as a head coach after his time as assistant. His first managerial opportunity in England came with Leicester City in 2023, where he led the Foxes to the Championship title.

Maresca’s Leicester revolutionised the Championship, scoring the second-highest number of goals and conceding the fewest. This achievement was even more impressive considering Leicester had lost key players like Kasper Schmeichel, Wesley Fofana, Harvey Barnes, James Maddison, and Youri Tielemans from their previous squad.

Despite securing promotion back to the Premier League, Maresca left Leicester after one season to take up the Chelsea job. At Stamford Bridge, he returned the Blues to the Champions League and delivered European silverware by winning the Europa Conference League.

In the summer of 2025, he further cemented Chelsea’s return to the top level by winning the Club World Cup in the United States, defeating Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain. It marked his second title in a year as Chelsea manager. However, Maresca unexpectedly resigned in January of his second season, despite holding a long-term contract, to prepare for the opportunity to succeed Guardiola at Manchester City. Following his departure, Chelsea finished tenth in the Premier League.

Tactically, Maresca favours a 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasising fluid movement and rotations to open up attacking spaces. Much like Guardiola, he prioritises a possession-based approach that focuses on central play. With City’s deep pool of midfield talent, his system seems primed for success.

In goal, Maresca faces a key decision. Gianluigi Donnarumma was Guardiola’s first-choice goalkeeper last season, keeping 15 clean sheets in his debut Premier League campaign. Though one of the world’s best shot-stoppers, Donnarumma’s ball-playing ability remains limited.

Meanwhile, academy graduate James Trafford, who excelled in cup competitions last season, could challenge for more minutes. Trafford’s composure with the ball and his previous experience under Maresca in the Under-21s could give him an edge in the new system.

During his Leicester stint, Maresca favoured a ball-playing goalkeeper like Mads Hermansen, who contributed to the team’s build-up from deep. At Chelsea, he adapted his system to accommodate Robert Sanchez, who was less comfortable with distribution — a flexibility he may replicate to integrate Donnarumma effectively.

Maresca also employs an ‘inverted full-back’ system, asking one full-back to drift infield to create central overloads. At Leicester, players like Ricardo Pereira and Hamza Choudhury filled this role, while at Chelsea it was Reece James and Malo Gusto. This system could suit Nico O’Reilly, another player Maresca previously coached in City’s academy.

O’Reilly’s evolution into a hybrid left-sided defender, contributing both defensively and in attack — including scoring twice in the Carabao Cup Final against Arsenal — makes him an ideal candidate for this role. With tactical refinement, he could become integral to Maresca’s City.

On the opposite flank, the right-back is likely to tuck in to form a back three alongside Matheus Nunes, Marc Guehi, and Josko Gvardiol. Nunes, who often played a conservative role last season, could continue in this position, while Maresca may also consider a centre-back like Khusanov to strengthen defensive balance, much like Guardiola used Gvardiol or Nathan Ake previously.

City’s midfield will look different following the record signing of Elliot Anderson and the departure of captain Bernardo Silva. At Chelsea, Maresca paired a traditional defensive midfielder like Moises Caicedo with a progressive playmaker such as Enzo Fernandez. Anderson, who has shown his versatility for both England and Nottingham Forest, could perform either role alongside Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, forming a dynamic and fluid partnership.

In attacking midfield, Maresca’s system often relies on a creative number ten linking defence and attack. At Chelsea, Cole Palmer excelled in this role, connecting play and creating chances for Nicolas Jackson. At City, Rayan Cherki could fill this position, given his ability to drift wide and exploit central areas to feed Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo.

Manchester City scored 77 league goals last season — the most in the division — averaging over two per match. Haaland contributed 27 of those, accounting for 35% of City’s total. Under Maresca, the Norwegian striker will be expected to play a more involved role in build-up play while continuing to lead the line alongside wingers like Jeremy Doku, Semenyo, Savinho, and Omar Marmoush.

Maresca values fast, direct wingers who can beat opponents one-on-one. At Leicester, Abdul Fatawu and Stephy Mavididi combined for 37 goals and assists from wide areas. At City, Doku and Semenyo are likely to be his first-choice wingers, both coming off their most productive club seasons yet. Their pace and creativity promise an exciting attacking future for the Cityzens as the Maresca era begins.