MANCHESTER CITY are gearing up for a new era without Pep Guardiola and Enzo Maresca could be the man to lead it.
Guardiola bid farewell to City after ten years at the Etihad and couldn’t end his reign in style after a 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa.
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Enzo Maresca looks nailed on to become the next Man City boss Credit: EPA
The Italian could raid his old club Chelsea for Enzo Fernandez Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
He struggled to contain his emotions and it looks like he will be passing the baton to his protege Maresca this summer.
The Italian has reportedly signed a three-year deal with City and he will soon be putting his plans together should the appointment be confirmed.
Maresca is expected to be heavily involved in recruitment at the Etihad and he will already be thinking about the profile of player he wants.
He has already been linked with a number of high-profile stars, including some from his old club Chelsea.
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Maresca has been tipped to raid Chlesea for wantaway midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
The Argentinian has given a number of outspoken interviews hinting he could quit Stamford Bridge this season.
A report from Sky in Germany has claimed Fernandez is one of City’s top targets for the summer, with Maresca keen to complete a deal for his ex-player.
Fernandez could slot straight into the Man City midfield to replace Rodri, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid in recent weeks.
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The Italian could also make a stunning swoop for Chelsea’s Cole Palmer Credit: Getty
Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson has also been linked with the Etihad Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
City will need more reinforcements in midfield given that Bernardo Silva is on his way out.
And Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson could be the perfect fit to complement Fernandez in the middle of the park.
England star Anderson is set to be one of the most sought-after players in the transfer window this summer and City face a battle with Manchester United for his signature.
Further up the pitch, City’s attack could look quite similar to how it was under Guardiola, with Haaland spearheading the front four.
Antoine Semenyo and Jeremy Doku would likely keep their spots on the flanks, but Maresca could bring another of his former Chelsea players in to play in the No 10 role.
Maresca got some great performances out of Cole Palmer, who is a boyhood City star after starting his career with the club.
Palmer left City in a £42.5million deal in 2023, which looks to be one of the best deals in Premier League history after scoring 54 goals in three seasons.
But he did have a difficult season in 2025-26 as Chelsea finished tenth and a return to City could be on the cards.
Meanwhile, City’s defence should look more or less the same as under Guardiola with Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal.
Maresca could then have a back four of Mateus Nunes, Abdukodir Khusanov, Marc Guehi and Nico O’Reilly – but he will still need more defensive depth with John Stones departing.
