Maresca appointment delayed as Man City wait on Chelsea compensation talks

Manchester City’s pursuit of Enzo Maresca as their next permanent manager is being held up by ongoing compensation negotiations with Chelsea, though the club remain confident the appointment will be confirmed without significant obstacles.

Guardiola announced his departure in the final week of last season, and more than two weeks have elapsed since. City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak urged supporters to remain patient in his end-of-season address. “I think what I can say at the moment is we’ve gone through a very thoughtful and structured process and the team is convinced — and I am convinced, rest assured — that we will bring in the right manager for this club,” he said. “Just be patient with us. Very soon we’ll announce it and you will be very comfortable that we have selected and brought in the best manager possible for this club.”

Talks are described as advanced, with City hoping to resolve the process as quickly as possible ahead of a potentially busy summer involving multiple transfer decisions and a pre-season tour of Asia.

Maresca, 46, left Chelsea in January after falling out with the Stamford Bridge hierarchy. During his tenure he guided the club to Conference League and Club World Cup glory, but Chelsea’s form deteriorated sharply after his exit and they ultimately missed out on European qualification for next season.

The Italian has prior ties to City, having spent two years at the club — first in the Academy and then as Guardiola’s assistant during the 2022-23 Treble-winning campaign. He departed in 2023 to take charge of Leicester City, earning promotion to the Premier League before moving to Chelsea. He is held in high regard at the Etihad, with several players from that period speaking positively about his coaching methods and man-management.

Resolving the managerial situation is also seen as important for City’s transfer activity. The club are reportedly pursuing Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson, among other potential incomings and outgoings this summer.