The Italian was today confirmed as City’s new boss in succession to Pep Guardiola and has signed a three-year contract with the Club.
The 46-year-old arrives for what will be his third spell working at the Etihad armed with an extensive and highly successful coaching and playing background.
Prior to today’s appointment, Enzo had guided Chelsea to both 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and Europa Conference League success as well as also piloting Leicester to the 2022/23 Championship title and City’s Elite Development Squad to a maiden Premier League 2 title in 2021.
As a player meanwhile, across a decorated career that took in spells with West Brom, Juventus, Sevilla, Malaga and Olympiakos amongst a host of top clubs, Maresca went on to win the Serie A title alongside two UEFA Cups, a UEFA Super League and Copa del Rey.
Across the course of almost three decades in the professional sphere, Maresca has had the experience of working under and alongside a plethora of football’s true greats.
And he revealed how during his time playing as part of a star-studded Juventus side in the early 2000s, his initial football education was enhanced by the presence and insight of the legendary Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi who both managed the Old Lady during his time in Turin.
Two of the totemic figures in Italian football, Lippi and Ancelotti’s impact were to leave an indelible impression on his own approach and philosophy.
“In terms of motivation and leadership, Marcello Lippi in my experience was number one [when I was a player],” Maresca declared speaking to mancity.com in 2021.
“Only listening, talking, the motivation was top. And in terms of leadership as well. It was a great experience to work with him.
“And then the year after I also worked with Carlo Ancelotti, which was a great experience in different terms.
“In terms of approach, they’re different but both are top, top coaches.
“To be honest, I always compare Carlo Ancelotti with Manuel Pellegrini. Having worked with both of them, in terms of managing a team they’re very similar.
“Marcello Lippi’s approach was more direct, but it doesn’t mean better or worse, just different.
“For me both of them were fantastic, you can learn a lot working with them. I’ve always been lucky because I’ve been coached by some great managers.”
Maresca’s subsequent spell with Malaga towards the latter stage of his playing days brought him into the orbit of Manuel Pellegrini, who was to enjoy great success managing the Spanish club before subsequently taking charge of City in 2013.
For Maresca it was another fruitful and rewarding professional association, so much so that Enzo later became part of the Engineer’s coaching staff after he was appointed West Ham manager in 2018.
And the Italian also credits Pellegrini with providing the initial impetus and encouragement for him to make the transition from playing into coaching.
“As a coach in terms of relationships with the players, handling and managing the situation, for me Manuel is one of the best,” Maresca added.
“Also, Manuel was the person who convinced me to try to become a coach when I decided to finish playing.
“So, I always say that in terms of an experience about football, Manuel for me is like a father.
“If I had some doubt, to be honest he helped me a lot as a player and when I worked with him when he was manager at West Ham, and I have a tremendous relationship with him.
“I was still working as a player with him and one day during a chat with him he said: ‘You know when you finish as a player you should try to become a coach because I think you can be a good coach.’”
More latterly Maresca also credits his totemic City predecessor Pep Guardiola for his casting his own enormous impact and influence on his coaching career and approach to how football, should be played.
Maresca spent an unforgettable year working as a hugely trusted and admired assistant coach to Guardiola across City’s historic 2022/23 Treble season.
That came after Enzo had forged an initial close and successful bond with Pep during his season in charge of City’s Elite Development Squad in 2020/21.
And speaking late last year, Maresca revealed how it was through watching Guardiola’s iconic Barcelona side of the late 2000s that initially sparked his desire to contemplate a move into management.
“I decided to be a manager because of Pep’s team, Barcelona years ago,” Maresca revealed.
“I think no one can be compared – this is my personal opinion – to that Barcelona, and to Pep. Because I think they changed football in Spain, where every club was trying to play in that way.
“And then Pep moved to Germany, and everyone was trying to play in that way in Germany. The German international team, they won something in those years.
“I think Pep came in England and many clubs tried to do something similar, and also England in terms of international team
“So, I don’t think anyone can be compared to Pep, because I think in the last 20, 25 years he changed football.”
