Maresca to replace Lillo as Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City
Maresca led City's U23s to the Premier League 2 title in 2020/21
Written by Simon Austin — June 22, 2022
ENZO MARESCA is returning to Manchester City to become Pep Guardiola’s assistant after Juanma Lillo left to become Head Coach of Al-Sadd Sports Club in Qatar.
Italian Maresca was in charge of City’s Under-23s in 2020/21 and led them to the Premier League 2 title before becoming manager of Parma. He was sacked after five months and 14 competitive games, with a record of won four, drawn five and lost five.
Lillo joined City in June 2020 and Guardiola has often spoken of his importance at the club. The Spaniard played an important role behind the scenes as the club lifted two Premier League titles and a League Cup.
Lillo said: “My time at Manchester City has been one of the most enjoyable periods of my career. To work alongside Pep, his backroom staff and this group of players has been a pleasure and I hope to have contributed in a small way to the fantastic success we have enjoyed on the pitch.
“I wish the club the very best and hope they can achieve all of their ambitions moving forwards.”
Maresca represented Juventus, Fiorentina and Sevilla and won the Scudetto, two Uefa Cups, a European Super Cup, an Italian Super Cup, a Spanish Cup, a Spanish Super Cup and Serie B during his playing career.
After moving into coaching he was assistant at Sevilla, West Ham and Ascoli. Guardiola paid tribute to him and his U23s team following their Premier League 2 title win in 2020/21.
“Not only has the team (the U23s) showed incredible consistency, they have played brilliant football,” he said.
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