Guardiola confirmed during the final week of the 2025/26 campaign that he would step down, bringing the curtain down on an extraordinary 10-year spell at the Etihad Stadium. During that time, he collected 17 major trophies and established City as one of Europe's dominant forces.
Maresca is no stranger to the club. Before moving into senior management elsewhere, he coached City's Under-23 side during the 2020/21 season, guiding the youngsters to the Premier League 2 title in his only year in charge.
He later returned to work alongside Guardiola and served as his assistant throughout the club's historic treble-winning 2022/23 campaign.
The Italian had been without a managerial role since leaving Chelsea by mutual agreement on New Year's Day. His departure came despite an impressive spell at Stamford Bridge, where he oversaw significant progress during his only full season in charge.
Under Maresca, Chelsea lifted both the Conference League and the Club World Cup, while their league form also improved considerably.
The Blues ended the previous campaign in 10th place but had climbed to fifth in the Premier League by the time he departed at the end of December, representing a five-place improvement.
