Manchester City are on the verge of appointing Enzo Maresca as their new head coach, with Sky in Italy reporting that a verbal agreement has been reached between all parties. The Premier League champions will pay Chelsea over £17m (€20m) in compensation to secure the Italian as Pep Guardiola's long-term successor at the Etihad Stadium.
Maresca is expected to travel to Manchester in the next 24 hours to sign a three-year contract, bringing the 45-year-old back to the club where he previously served as Guardiola’s assistant during the historic 2023 treble-winning campaign.
The Agreement and Compensation
City’s pursuit of Maresca has been complicated by the fact that he remains under contract at Chelsea, despite leaving his role at Stamford Bridge by mutual consent on 1 January 2026. With three-and-a-half years still remaining on that deal, Chelsea have insisted on a compensation package, and City are now prepared to meet their demands.
Kaveh Solhekol, Sky Sports News reporter, explained:
“Maresca isn't the Chelsea manager and he hasn't been since the start of the year. When he walked out of Chelsea, he still had three and a half years on his contract. Chelsea believed he was contacted about the City job in the autumn of 2025 and that had a negative impact on their season, and that is why Chelsea have been involved.”
The fee will place Maresca among the most expensive managerial appointments in football history, underlining City’s belief that he is the outstanding candidate to build on Guardiola’s legacy.
Maresca’s Pedigree and City Connections
Maresca’s coaching journey is deeply intertwined with Manchester City. During the 2020/21 campaign, he led the club’s Elite Development Squad to the Premier League 2 title before being promoted to Guardiola’s first-team staff. His influence was clear as City swept to the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League in 2023.
His first senior managerial role came at Parma, but it was at Chelsea where he truly made his mark. In his one full season in charge, he guided the Blues to UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup glory, while also securing a top-four finish and Champions League qualification. When he departed on New Year’s Day, Chelsea sat fifth in the table—five places above their eventual 10th-place finish.
Ben Ransom added:
“In terms of Maresca's fit and his credentials for Man City, he feels like a sensible choice… He won Premier League 2 with the development side before going off and becoming a manager in his own right. There is a feeling he could fit in quite seamlessly.”
Analysis: A Seamless Transition?
City’s hierarchy have been planning for the post-Guardiola era for years, and Maresca’s philosophy aligns closely with the club’s possession-based, high-pressing style. His knowledge of the squad and the City Football Group’s operational model makes him a logical successor. However, following a manager who delivered 17 major trophies in a decade—including a first Champions League title—is a monumental task.
Guardiola departed after the 2025/26 season, in which City finished runners-up to Arsenal in the Premier League, marking the first time he failed to win a league title in consecutive seasons. Maresca will be expected to revive their domestic dominance and maintain European competitiveness.
Solhekol tempered expectations:
“I don't think Enzo Maresca is going to achieve what Guardiola achieved, but he has clear principles, which are aligned with how City want to operate and play.”
Key Takeaways
- Manchester City are set to pay over £17m to Chelsea to secure Enzo Maresca as their new head coach.
- A verbal agreement is in place, and Maresca will travel to Manchester to sign a three-year contract.
- Maresca previously worked as Pep Guardiola's assistant and won the Premier League 2 with City's development squad.
- He enjoyed a successful stint at Chelsea, winning two trophies and securing Champions League football before leaving in January 2026.
- City view Maresca as the ideal candidate to ensure continuity after Guardiola's legendary tenure.
Quick Facts
Compensation Fee: Over £17m (€20m)
Contract Length: Three years
Previous Clubs Managed: Parma, Leicester City (caretaker), Chelsea
Chelsea Tenure: July 2024 – 1 January 2026
Trophies Won at Chelsea: UEFA Conference League, FIFA Club World Cup
City Connection: Assistant to Guardiola (2022–2023), EDS Manager (2020–2021)