Manchester City near £10m settlement to appoint Enzo Maresca

Manchester City are on the brink of a financial settlement with Chelsea, reportedly worth more than £10 million, that would allow them to appoint Enzo Maresca as their new manager following Pep Guardiola’s departure at the end of the 2025/26 season. Enzo Maresca previously coached Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad and served as Pep Guardiola’s first‑team assistant during the 2022/23 Treble campaign. The Italian was also a former Chelsea boss before being identified as the No. 1 choice to lead the club after Guardiola. Maresca verbally agreed to a three‑year contract in May, but his official unveiling was delayed after he left Stamford Bridge on New Year’s Day while contractual obligations remained in force. Chelsea executives demanded upwards of £10 million in compensation, alleging he breached his contract by holding unauthorised discussions with Manchester City. Lawyers for both clubs remain locked in settlement negotiations, leaving Manchester City temporarily manager‑less weeks before pre‑season training is scheduled to begin. The club will not return to pre‑season training until the middle of July, largely because many players are at the FIFA World Cup in North America.

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According to ’s Matt Hughes, the two clubs have a good relationship and expect an amicable agreement, with a settlement worth more than £10 million likely. Both sides are confident the financial resolution will enable the appointment of Maresca as the successor to Pep Guardiola. Maresca is described as ‘eager’ to start work at the Etihad Stadium as soon as possible, and his opening weeks will balance administrative talks with on‑pitch preparation. He will dive into squad assembly before the first team reports back to the City Football Academy. His highest priority is integrating a new‑look midfield core, driven by the club’s push to finalise a British‑record transfer for Nottingham Forest and England international Elliot Anderson. The 23‑year‑old is expected to undergo a medical in the United States during the World Cup, with Sporting Director Hugo Viana handling the paperwork. The Premier League’s official fixture release confirmed Maresca will mark his competitive home debut at the Etihad on Sunday, August 23, hosting Bournemouth at 14:00 UK time, live on .