Enzo Maresca aims thinly-veiled dig at Chelsea at his first press conference as Man City manager – with ‘happy’ Italian boss returning to the Etihad to succeed former mentor Pep Guardiola

Enzo Maresca aimed a dig at former employers Chelsea in his unveiling as Manchester City manager.

Maresca walked out at Chelsea in January to position himself as the number one candidate to succeed Pep Guardiola – who stepped down at the end of last season -at City.

Chelsea released a dignified statement acknowledging his resignation in January but shifted their tone following his appointment as City boss in June.

The Blues chastised Maresca for his resignation, explaining he had ‘no right’ to terminate his contract and blaming the Italian coach for their turbulent season – which saw them fail to qualify for Europe.

Both City and Maresca paid Chelsea multi-million pound settlements after he took the job at City. Maresca released an apology on Instagram to Chelsea fans on the day he was announced as City boss, but later deleted it.

Speaking in his first press conference as City boss, Maresca took aim at Chelsea – admitting it’s nice to be back at ‘home’. Maresca has spent two previous stints at City as assistant coach to Guardiola in their treble-winning season in 2022-23 while previously working within their academy.

‘I feel back home and very good. The feeling since day one has been brilliant so I’m happy,’ said Maresca at his official unveiling on Friday. ‘I know quite well the organisation, I know the people from inside the club from years ago.

‘The structure of the club and when a club has three manager in almost 20 years, it shows how serious this structure is and they understand to give time for everything.’

Enzo Maresca was unveiled to the media as Manchester City boss on Friday

Maresca succeeded Pep Guardiola as City boss

Maresca is under contract at City for three seasons

Maresca was reluctant to directly draw on his departure from Chelsea in January which ended with City paying their Premier League rivals £17million in compensation after they appointed him as Guardiola’s successor.

‘I have been quite lucky in terms of my former clubs, Leicester and Chelsea,’ added Maresca, who won the Club World Cup and UEFA Conference League at Stamford Bridge.

‘I think we did a great job in both clubs. The identity of the team was clear. The success of the team was clear, and I feel very lucky to be part of these clubs. But now I think we are here today. That is the most important thing. Just about City. Nothing to add.’

The new City boss added that it’s a privilege to succeed Guardiola and is confident the empire he built won’t collapse like it did at Manchester United when Sir Alex Ferguson retired.

Guardiola won 20 trophies during his decade in charge at the Etihad before deciding to walk away at the end of last season. Maresca, who was Guardiola’s assistant and City’s elite development system coach during his two previous stints at the club, is relishing the chance to succeed him.

The 46-year-old Italian believes he can maintain City’s success because the club has been so well run under Guardiola, Manuel Pellegrini and Roberto Mancini, and there is no danger of a slump as United and Arsenal suffered when Ferguson and Arsene Wenger left.

‘I have to say that it’s a privilege, because the reason why the club decided to go for me means that for me it’s a privilege.

‘I consider Pep probably the best coach in the world in the last 20-25 years. But again, it’s a challenge. It’s nice. It’s a privilege. Also, the history of the manager with many years in the same club, always struggling a bit afterwards, after Sir Alex and after Arsene. It’s a challenge to try to do the right things immediately for this organisation, for the fans, for everyone.

‘I think the organisation is the main thing. This club, this organisation, they had three managers in 17 years. This is not normal. It does not happen often. So this probably is one of the things that I’m confident why we can do a great job. We can continue to do the job that has been done in the last probably 14, 15 years since Roberto was here, Mancini, then after Manuel for 10 years Pep.’

Maresca is a disciple of Pep Guardiola

The new manager was asked about City midfielder Rodri who continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid after entering the final year of his contract at the Etihad. The Spaniard is due to undergo surgery on a back injury after winning the World Cup earlier this month.

‘First of all, we have to say that around big players, there are always speculations,’ said Maresca. ‘I’m not worried about that, I think it’s normal. Also, because they won the World Cup, he was the best player or one of the best players.

‘I think every manager wants to have Rodri because he’s a top player. But (he will have) surgery on Monday, and he needs a holiday. He needs to rest. He needs to recover, and then he will be back here with us.’

He was also asked about the futures of goalkeeper James Trafford, who has been linked with Leeds, and Jack Grealish, who spent last season on loan at Everton.

‘I know James because he was my keeper when I was with the Under-23s,’ replied Maresca. ‘So I know James very well. But again, it’s when the transfer window is open, now and in January, anything can happen. So we’ll see. But at the moment, he’s one of our keepers.

‘Jack, at the moment, this year, he’s Man City player. I always said the same. In any club I join, if there are players that belong to the club it’s my duty to try to coach them.

‘I have a good relation with Jack. Since I left we kept in touch, and the reason why is because he has a big heart and is a very good guy. So this is the reason why. And then we see what happens.’