Manchester City are on the verge of announcing Enzo Maresca as their manager after reaching a formal agreement with Chelsea to secure the services of their former coach.
The departure of Pep Guardiola last season has left a huge void to be filled at City, and Maresca has been identified as the perfect fit, having already work at the club.
Maresca previously worked as Guardiola’s assistant during the historic 2022-23 treble-winning campaign.
However, City’s effort to bring him back to the Etihad Stadium have been held up by legal complications, but reports state the process is a step closer to being finalised.
According to Sky, City and Chelsea have agreed a compensation package worth around £17 million to buy out the remainder of the Italian’s deal. The £17m settlement clears the final hurdle for the Move, allowing the 46-year-old to officially assume his duties at the Etihad.
Enzo Maresca is set to be announced as new Manchester City manager. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Despite leaving Chelsea on January 1, Maresca remained legally tied to the West London club under the terms of his existing contract.
This necessitated complex negotiations between the two Premier League giants. However, a breakthrough has finally been reached as both parties will now proceed to other things.
For Chelsea, the fee represents a significant financial boost as they look to move on from a tumultuous managerial period.
Following the departure of Maresca in January, his replacement, Liam Rosenoir was sacked after three months in charge as Chelsea finished the season with an interim manager.
Xabi Alonso has since been announced as the club new manager, as he’s expected to raise the club standards despite his struggles in Spain with Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, Maresca is reportedly set to sign a contract of three years at Man City, which will keep him at the helm until 2029.
