Man City reach ‘verbal agreement’ with Pep Guardiola replacement as ‘deal done’

Former Chelsea and Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca has a “verbal agreement” to become Manchester City’s new manager with Pep Guardiola set to leave

Enzo Maresca has a “verbal agreement” to become Manchester City’s next manager with Pep Guardiola set to leave at the end of the season.

Guardiola, who took over City in 2016, looks set to call time on his 10-year spell as manager at the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season – with various reports suggestion he will walk away from the club with 12-months left on his contract.

And, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, City already have a verbal agreement with Maresca. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Romano said: “Enzo Maresca has a total verbal agreement with Manchester City, HERE WE GO!

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“The Italian manager has always been considered the ideal candidate to replace Pep Guardiola. Deal in place and Maresca will sign an initial three year deal at #MCFC. New era, soon.”

Maresca worked as an assistant under Guardiola at City, before leaving to take over Leicester City in 2023. And after impressing with the Foxes, he landed the Chelsea gig in 2024.

However, he was sacked earlier this season, eventually being replaced by Liam Rosenior, who also since been sacked. Xabi Alonso will now take over the Chelsea hot-seat at the end of the season.

City will now be heading into a new era after the most successful period in their club history. Guardiola has led City to six Premier League titles, including four on the bounce.

In 2023, Guardiola took City to the treble as they finally claimed the Champions League – beating Inter Milan 1-0 in Istanbul, thanks to a strike from Rodri.

Under his guidance, City smashed the 100 point barrier in 2018, and edged out Liverpool the following season in a thrilling title race. City won the title by a single point as Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool registered 97 points and failed to win the league.

His final game is expected to be against Aston Villa on the final day of the season.