Compensation talks between Chelsea and City delay Maresca's appointment as Guardiola successor

Manchester City’s pursuit of Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola’s permanent successor is being held up by compensation negotiations with Chelsea, with lawyers from both clubs locked in ongoing discussions over the terms of his departure from Stamford Bridge in January.

Maresca left Chelsea with three-and-a-half years remaining on his contract after being dismissed on New Year’s Day, following a home draw with Bournemouth that left the west Londoners with just one win from seven Premier League matches. City are keen to resolve the financial settlement before the end of the week, with talks also covering the timing of his appointment and the composition of his coaching staff.

The groundwork for this move was laid nearly a year ago. Last autumn, Maresca informed Chelsea’s hierarchy that he had entered discussions with City about the prospect of succeeding Guardiola — at a point when Guardiola had not yet publicly announced his intention to leave. City are now reported to be confident a deal can still be concluded.

Should the appointment go through, Maresca will arrive at the Etihad as a Europa Conference League winner and World Club Cup holder. The move would also represent a personal full-circle moment: the Italian served as Guardiola’s assistant when City claimed the treble in the 2022-23 season before going on to manage Leicester City and then Chelsea.

Guardiola’s final season in charge ended with League Cup glory over Arsenal and an FA Cup final victory over Chelsea, though City finished seven points behind the Gunners in the Premier League.

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has publicly backed Maresca for the role. “I liked him at Chelsea. I thought he was a good manager,” Merson said. “He’s going into Man City, he’s been there before, he’s worked in the Premier League before. He knows some of the players at City. I think he ticks every box. He’s not coming in trying to get used to the place, he’s not coming into a league that he’s never been in. I think he’ll go in and settle quite nicely.”

Merson did, however, flag the challenge of squad-building that will face any incoming City manager. “They’ll need a few players as well. But this is the problem: Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea all need players. There’s not that many players around. Who’s going to be able to produce and give the most money to these players?”