Enzo Maresca: Manchester City-Chelsea close to million-settlement
Manchester City to step in with new ownership after Pep Guardiola — appointment of Enzo Maresca could end ongoing settlement talks with Chelsea Reports suggest the settlement is likely to be in excess of £10 million.
Manchester City is close to a financial settlement with Chelsea—to make it easier for the same coach to officially appoint Enzo Maresca as the new coach. Pep Guardiola leaves his post at Manchester City after the end of the 2025/26 season; He collected a total of 20 medals during his decade-long tenure and ended the period with a domestic cup double.
An early strategy was implemented to continue the club's legacy after Guardiola, one of the most ambitious tacticians of modern times. Enzo Maresca was initially identified as a top target, with a view to upholding the club's cultural footballing approach. Maresca has an extensive history with City — he has also been named to the elite development squad and served as Guardiola's first-team assistant during the 2022/23 treble season.
Although Maresca nominally agreed to a three-season deal in May, the financial and administrative impasse has caused delays in officially introducing him as a guest. Although Maresca left Stamford Bridge on New Year's Day, the club insist he still has pre-contractual obligations to Chelsea. The Chelsea team has demanded more than £10 million for Chocats institutionally; Their lawsuit alleges that Maresca engaged in unofficial talks with Manchester City while at Stamford Bridge.
This left lawyers for the two big clubs in talks to hammer out the details of the settlement—which left City temporarily without a coach just days before the start of pre-season. According to a report by The Guardian reporter Matt Hughes, Manchester City are currently said to be close to a financial settlement with Chelsea and the deal is likely to be worth more than £10 million to Chelsea.
Stamford Bridge executives are confident a 'unity deal' is possible if they have a good relationship with City. Manchester City officials and Maresca are eager to begin his new responsibilities; According to the club, the resumption of the preseason has been delayed until mid-July—mainly because many players are involved in the FIFA World Cup in North America.
Maresca's first weeks will involve a balancing act between the town's policy discussions and pitch preparation. One of his main tasks in the club office was to assemble a new midfield core; Against this background, Manchester City are desperately trying to complete a British record transfer from Nottingham Forest—with England international Elliott Anderson as their main target.
Sporting director Ugo Viana has worked to finalize financial documents, while Andersen is trying to finalize applicable VCR affairs, the report said. Anderson is also said to be currently in the United States for a medical due to the current World Cup and the club intend to complete the transfer before the start of pre-season.
Also, according to the Premier League's official fixture release, Enzo Maresca will make his first official home coaching debut at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 23 August; City welcome Bournemouth that day—the fixture is scheduled for 14:00 local time (UK) and will be broadcast by Sky Sports.
As Marska looks to end the settlement dispute, it is expected that his first aim will be to ensure a smooth transition between the pitch and official duties, strengthening the club's operations.