Enzo Maresca: Premier League Champs Manchester City Set to Appoint New Coach

• Manchester City have acquired the services of Enzo Maresca to become Pep Guardiola's assistant at Etihad
• The former Italian footballer will be succeeding Juanma Lillo, who quit City to become the head coach of Qatar side, Al Sadd
• Lillo held the role for close to three years, having replaced Mikel Arteta, who departed City in 2019 to become Arsenal's manager
• This will mark Enzo's second stint with City, having previously managed the Premier League side's development squad

English Premier League champions, Man City, have secured the services of Enzo Maresca to become Pep Guardiola's No.2.

Juanma Lillo has been Guardiola's assistant manager for close to three years now after he replaced Mikel Arteta, who left Etihad to become Arsenal's new boss.

However, Lillo's appointment as head coach with Qatar Stars League side Al Sadd forced City to enter the market for a replacement.

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Manchester Evening News now reports that Guardiola will be having a new No.2 from next season in the shape of Maresca, who is due to join his backroom team.

It is understood the Citizens had to work hard to convince Maresca to rejoin them as the tactician had a number of management offers from across Europe.

Enzo Maresca touted as one of the best young coaches

According to the Daily Mail, Maresca has enjoyed a significant rise to prominence as one of the best young coaches in Europe after a successful reign with City's development squad

The 42-year-old guided the club's youth side to the Premier League 2 title before he quit the English side in 2020.

He was subsequently appointed Parma boss but lost his job last November after the Italian side's string of poor results.

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Despite his dismissal, the former player has continued to court interest across Europe, with a number of clubs registering interest in his services.

Pep Guardiola speaks on Man City departures

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Pep Guardiola has opened up on the imminent departure of key Manchester City players for rival clubs.

Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Nathan Ake are all expected to depart the Etihad Stadium this summer.

While many view the exits as a blow to Man City, Guardiola has vowed not to stand in the way of any player who intends to depart.