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Manchester City have closed the chapter on one of the most dominant managerial reigns English football has ever seen, with Pep Guardiola’s departure confirmed at the end of the 2025/26 season.
His time at the Etihad has not only redefined City as a global powerhouse but has also shaped the modern Premier League – often at Liverpool’s expense.
For Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, Guardiola’s City became the ultimate benchmark as well as the ultimate frustration.
The relentless title races, the 98 vs 97-point season, and the fine margins that repeatedly separated the two sides have become part of Premier League folklore.
Even when Liverpool reached near perfection, City often found a way to stay one step ahead.
That era has now come to an end, leaving City with the daunting task of replacing a manager who delivered unprecedented consistency, silverware, and a tactical blueprint that many have tried to replicate.
But true to form, City have not waited around.
Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has reported that Manchester City have reached an agreement worth around €20 million to appoint former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca.
The big fee is due to the fact that Maresca is still tied to Chelsea by contract terms from his Stamford Bridge spell, so City cannot simply hire him as a free appointment and must compensate the London club for releasing him.
Di Marzio adds that he will be signing a three-year deal at the Etihad:
“Enzo Maresca is preparing to become the new manager of Manchester City. A verbal agreement has been reached between Maresca and Chelsea for the termination of the contract.”
“In the next few hours, the coach will travel to Manchester to sign a three-year contract. The agreement between the clubs, on the other hand, is around €20 million.”
For the Cityzens to shell out what some clubs pay for players, it seems they rate the Italian very highly.