Enzo Maresca’s incoming Manchester City contract is not fully agreed as talks progress between the Italian to replace Pep Guardiola, as per reports.

Manchester City’s search for life after Pep Guardiola has entered one of its most delicate and important phases, with reports confirming that the club’s proposed agreement to appoint Enzo Maresca is not yet fully completed despite widespread belief that a deal is already in place.

According to multiple updates circulating around the club, including fresh clarification from sources close to negotiations, the deal between Manchester City and Maresca is progressing well, but several key details still need to be finalised before an official announcement can be made.

This situation has created a tense but exciting atmosphere around the Etihad Stadium, as supporters eagerly wait to see who will take charge of the team following the emotional departure of Pep Guardiola, one of the most successful and influential managers in football history.

The transition period marks the end of an era that saw Guardiola redefine English football. During his time at City, he guided the club to six Premier League titles, multiple domestic trophies, and a historic Champions League triumph, building one of the most dominant teams the sport has ever seen.

Now, attention has fully shifted to the future.

Reports suggest that Maresca has already agreed in principle to a three-year contract that would see him become the next Manchester City manager. However, despite this broad agreement, the deal is not yet fully signed off, as both parties continue discussions over final contractual details, backroom staff arrangements, and structural responsibilities within the club.

One of the key points still being negotiated is the composition of Maresca’s coaching staff. It is understood that the Italian coach intends to bring in his own trusted team of assistants, including former Willy Caballero, who has built a close working relationship with Maresca in recent years.

This is an important detail for Manchester City, who are themselves undergoing a major restructuring of their coaching setup following Guardiola’s departure.

As part of the transition, City have already confirmed the exit of several key members of Guardiola’s backroom team. These include long-serving figures such as Xabier Mancisidor, Lorenzo Buenaventura, Manuel Estiarte, Pepijn Lijnders, and Kolo Touré. Their departures were officially announced as part of the club’s preparation for a new managerial era.

The emotional farewell to Guardiola and his staff was reportedly a major moment inside the club, marking the end of a decade-long project that transformed Manchester City into a global football powerhouse.

While Guardiola’s exit naturally dominates headlines, attention is now shifting toward the structure of the new era, and whether Maresca will be able to successfully step into one of the most demanding managerial roles in world football.

Sources suggest that negotiations between City and Maresca are now focused on fine details rather than major disagreements. The broad framework of the deal is believed to be in place, but final agreements are still required on areas such as contract clauses, staff integration, and performance expectations.

Despite these outstanding issues, confidence remains high that a full agreement will be reached in the coming days. Club officials are reportedly working with urgency to finalise the appointment before pre-season preparations begin in July.

The timing is crucial. Manchester City are preparing for a completely new cycle without Guardiola for the first time in over a decade, and the next manager will immediately be expected to maintain the club’s elite standards in both domestic and European competitions.

Maresca, who previously worked within Manchester City’s system as part of the Elite Development Squad and first-team coaching structure, is seen internally as someone who already understands the club’s philosophy, tactical identity, and long-term vision.

This familiarity is believed to be one of the main reasons he has emerged as the leading candidate for the role. His experience working under Guardiola’s methods has given him insight into the tactical framework that has defined City’s success in recent years.

However, stepping into the manager’s position is a completely different challenge. While Maresca is respected for his tactical intelligence and calm leadership style, replacing a figure like Guardiola comes with immense pressure and expectation.

Supporters are not only expecting continuity, but also evolution. The club wants to maintain its possession-based identity while also introducing fresh ideas that will keep them ahead of increasingly competitive rivals in the Premier League.

Behind the scenes, Maresca has already begun early discussions with City’s sporting structure, including sporting director Hugo Viana, about transfer planning and pre-season preparation.

These conversations are believed to include a broad review of squad needs, tactical adjustments, and long-term recruitment strategy ahead of the summer transfer window.

Several names have already been linked with Manchester City as potential transfer targets under the incoming managerial setup. Among them are Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernández, and Eli Junior Kroupi, all of whom are believed to fit the club’s profile of young, technically gifted, and tactically adaptable players.

These early transfer discussions highlight the fact that Maresca is expected to play an active role in shaping the squad, rather than simply inheriting an existing structure. The club appears to be planning a full transition period that aligns recruitment with the new tactical direction.

Another important storyline emerging around the managerial change involves Jack Grealish. Reports suggest that Maresca is expected to hold discussions with the England international about his future role at the club following a season that included a loan spell at Everton.

The potential revival of Grealish’s career at Manchester City is seen as one of the early challenges for the incoming manager, who will need to assess squad depth and player roles quickly ahead of a demanding season schedule.

While excitement continues to build, there is also a sense of caution within the club. Replacing Guardiola is not simply about appointing a new manager—it is about maintaining a footballing identity that has taken years to build.

Guardiola’s departure leaves behind not just trophies, but a deeply embedded tactical system, training culture, and performance standard that has influenced every level of the club.

For Maresca, the challenge will be to respect that legacy while also establishing his own authority and ideas. Striking that balance will be critical to his success at the Etihad Stadium.

Inside Manchester City, there is an understanding that this transition will not happen overnight. Even with a strong squad and elite infrastructure, managerial changes at this level often come with uncertainty, adaptation periods, and tactical adjustments.

However, the club’s hierarchy believes that Maresca’s familiarity with the system gives him a unique advantage compared to external candidates with no prior connection to City’s football philosophy.

As negotiations continue, the expectation remains that a full agreement will eventually be reached. The remaining issues are believed to be procedural rather than fundamental disagreements, meaning the deal is still on track.

Once finalised, an official announcement is expected shortly afterwards, confirming Maresca as the new head coach of Manchester City and formally ending speculation over Guardiola’s successor.

Until then, the football world continues to wait.

The uncertainty surrounding the final details has only added to the anticipation, as fans, analysts, and rival clubs closely monitor one of the most important managerial transitions in modern football.

What is already clear, however, is that Manchester City are entering a new era. The Guardiola chapter has ended, and the next phase is already taking shape behind the scenes.

Whether Maresca can successfully carry forward that legacy remains to be seen, but the foundations for a new project are already being carefully laid.

For now, the message from inside the club is simple: the deal is close, but not done. And until every detail is signed, sealed, and confirmed, Manchester City’s next era remains just out of reach.