Enzo Maresca looks set to be the man to fill the void left by legendary manager Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and he’ll have his stunning wife in his corner
The Pep Guardiola era looks set to come to a close after Manchester City’s clash with Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon – with his replacement and his stunning wife soon to arrive.
Guardiola, 55, who took over at the Etihad Stadium in 2016 and led them through an era of unparalleled success, is ready to walk away from City with a year left on his contract, according to various reports.
And his former assistant Enzo Maresca, 46, is the man tipped to step into his sizeable shoes over the summer. If the ex-Chelsea and Leicester City boss is the man to replace Guardiola, he can count on the support of his stunning wife, Maria Jesus Pariente.
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The loved-up couple are said to have met during Maresca’s playing days, when the Italian midfielder was in the centre of the park at Sevilla, having strangely began his career at West Bromwich Albion, following spells in AC Milan and Cagliari’s youth systems.
They like to keep their private life private, but reports suggest Maria is a native of Seville – where her husband lifted two UEFA Cups – and their eldest child was born in the same city.
And after tying the knot, the couple had three more children. Football fans had a rare glimpse into his personal life after the Blues won the Europa Conference League at the end of last season and then the Club World Cup last summer.
The happy family all posed with the trophy on both occasions, before Maresca’s kids were able to run around the pitch as he shared a moment with his loving wife.
Maria was also seen on the pitch at the King Power Stadium in 2024, when Leicester City earned promotion back to the Premier League under the guidance of Maresca.
Maria was at the centre of the snap, dressed in a Leicester shirt, as she posed with four of her close pals with the trophy in the foreground.
City fans might be hoping to see more of those pictures as Maresca looks to lead them back to the top step of the Premier Lerague podium.
Under Guardiola, City won six out of seven league titles between 2018 and 2024, but they ceded control of the English top flight to Liverpool in 2025.
City again fell short this season, relinquishing their title challenge during the penultimate gameweek during a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, sparking wild scenes in north London as the Arsenal won their first Premier League in 22 years.