Image Credits: Imago Images
Pep Guardiola’s departure, officially announced in May, closed the book on a decade that delivered a relentless stream of trophies and redefined how Manchester City, and the Premier League, played football.
The Spaniard chose to walk away a year early from a contract that was due to run until 2027.
And now Liverpool and Andoni Iraola know who they will be competing with next season at (hopefully) the top of the table.
Manchester City have officially announced Enzo Maresca as their new manager ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Speaking after the confirmation, the former Chelsea boss said:
“Manchester City is a club I know very well and to have the chance to manage this team is a brilliant opportunity for me,” Maresca said.
“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. I know this Club, I know the demands and I know the expectations.
“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.
“I cannot wait to start coaching the players. I want us to win, play good football and enjoy the pressure of representing Manchester City.”
There was also some tension regarding his departure from Chelsea in January It was believed he held direct talks about becoming the new City boss while still under contract at Chelsea.
That tension ultimately contributed to Maresca’s acrimonious Stamford Bridge exit, with Chelsea later revealing that his resignation had been “unexpected and abrupt” and that a compensation package would be due if he took another job.
Fast forward to today and City have agreed a settlement understood to be in the region of £17m according to widespread reports.