Manchester City have confirmed the appointment of Enzo Maresca, who returns to the club as part of Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff.
The former midfielder had been sacked by Parma after just 14 games last season and has now returned to the Etihad Stadium after his spell as the coach of City’s U23 squad in 2020-21.
“I am very happy to be back at Manchester City, one of the biggest clubs in the world,” he told Manchester City’s official website.
“I gained a lot from my season here coaching the EDS and saw just how talented the players and staff are at this Club.
“I am very proud that Pep has asked me to return, this time as part of the first team backroom staff, and I can’t wait to help him and the players in the seasons to come.”
Maresca won four of his 14 games in charge of Serie B side Parma last season. He worked with Italy legend Gigi Buffon who had been his teammate at Juventus during his playing career.
Parma lost five games and drew as many during Maresca’s tenure at the Stadio Ennio Tardini last season. As a footballer, Maresca scored 21 goals in 167 Serie A appearances.
The 42-year-old played for Cagliari, West Brom, Juventus, Bologna, Piacenza, Fiorentina, Sevilla, Olympiacos, Malaga, Sampdoria, Verona and Palermo.
Ironically, City group has just acquired a majority stake in the Rosanero, who gained promotion to Serie B last season.