Txiki Begiristain speaks out as Enzo Maresca is confirmed as new Leicester manager

Manchester City assistant Enzo Maresca has been confirmed as the new boss at relegated Leicester City.

Maresca, 43, has been at City in his most recent stint as one of Pep Guardiola's number twos for a year after rejoining the Blues last summer.

The Italian has now departed City for a second time, having moved on originally in May 2021 to take over at Italian side Parma, leaving his role at the time as manager of the club's Elite Development Squad.

It has now been confirmed that he has taken over at Leicester, following the club's relegation from the Premier League to the Championship. The Italian succeeds Dean Smith in the job, who was unable to oversee keeping the Foxes in the top flight.

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Maresca said: “This season has been unbelievable for Man City. To be honest, they all deserve it as a club, as human beings and as professionals. They are a fantastic club in terms of human resource, in terms of people. This is something that we need, absolutely.

“I’m very excited because of the club [I’m joining] and because we have a big season ahead of us. At the beginning, the target is to play in the best way we can. From there, we can build, day by day, our idea and our philosophy, and the most important thing is to try to win games.

“First of all, we’re going to give 100 per cent, absolutely, because the club deserves this. It’s our job, our duty to do that. Then, as I said, day by day, step by step, absolutely we’re going to improve.”

City's director of football Txiki Begiristain outlined the important role that Maresca played at the Etihad this season.

He said: “Enzo has played an important role in what has been a remarkable season for Manchester