Manchester City are reportedly on the verge of appointing Italian tactician Enzo Maresca as the club’s next head coach after productive discussions between both parties.
According to multiple reports circulating on Tuesday morning, Maresca has already reached a verbal agreement with the Premier League champions and is expected to take over managerial duties once the deal is officially finalized.
The former Leicester City manager is believed to have emerged as Manchester City’s preferred candidate to eventually succeed Pep Guardiola, who has enjoyed tremendous success during his time at the Etihad Stadium. Sources close to the negotiations claim the club has prepared an initial three-year contract for the Italian coach, although official paperwork is yet to be completed.
Maresca’s strong relationship with Manchester City’s football hierarchy is said to have played a major role in the discussions. The 46-year-old previously worked within City’s coaching setup under Guardiola, where he gained valuable experience and earned praise for his tactical understanding, attacking philosophy, and ability to develop players.
His impressive managerial growth over recent years has reportedly convinced senior officials at City that he possesses the qualities required to continue the club’s football identity in the post-Guardiola era.
Unlike many managerial changes that often signal a dramatic tactical overhaul, Maresca’s potential arrival is viewed internally as a continuation of the possession-based and high-pressing system that has defined Manchester City’s dominance in England and Europe over the last decade.
Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano further fueled the speculation after posting an update on X confirming that an agreement had been reached between both parties.
According to Romano, Manchester City consider Maresca the ideal candidate to lead the next chapter of the club’s project, adding that only final formalities remain before an official announcement can be made.
Despite the widespread reports and growing excitement among supporters, neither Manchester City nor Maresca has publicly addressed the situation. Club officials have remained silent regarding the negotiations, while Guardiola has also avoided making direct comments about his long-term future in recent interviews.
In recent months, speculation surrounding Guardiola’s future intensified after several reports suggested the Spanish manager could step away from the club at the end of the current campaign. However, Guardiola recently dismissed rumours linking him with an imminent departure and reiterated his commitment to Manchester City.
Even so, many observers believe the club has already started planning for life after Guardiola, whose era has transformed City into one of the most dominant football teams in modern history.
If confirmed, Maresca’s appointment would represent one of the most closely watched managerial transitions in European football. The Italian would inherit a squad filled with elite talent, high expectations, and the responsibility of maintaining the winning culture established during Guardiola’s tenure.
Fans are now expected to wait for an official statement from Manchester City before the move can be considered complete.
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