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Manchester City have reached an agreement worth £17 million with Chelsea to appoint Enzo Maresca as their new manager, marking a major step in their preparations for life after Pep Guardiola.

The Premier League champions are ready to pay a significant compensation fee to bring the Italian tactician back to the Etihad Stadium, where he previously worked as Guardiola’s assistant during the club’s historic treble-winning campaign in the 2022-23 season.

City close in on Guardiola’s successor

Following the official confirmation of Guardiola’s departure, City wasted no time in identifying Maresca as the ideal candidate to lead the team forward. His previous experience with the club and deep understanding of its footballing philosophy made him the natural successor to Guardiola’s legacy.

Although progress on his return was delayed by contractual complexities, reports suggest that the legal and financial issues have now been largely resolved, paving the way for the appointment to be finalised soon.

Financial terms of the Chelsea settlement

Maresca had officially left his position at Chelsea on January 1, but remained legally bound to the West London side under the terms of his existing deal. This required detailed negotiations between the two Premier League powerhouses to reach a resolution.

After several rounds of discussions, a breakthrough was achieved, with Manchester City agreeing to pay around £17 million as compensation to buy out the remainder of Maresca’s contract. The agreement clears the final obstacle for his move back to Manchester.

For Chelsea, the financial package represents a welcome injection of funds as they continue their rebuild following a turbulent managerial phase.

Maresca’s journey through the coaching ranks

Maresca’s rapid rise as a coach has been noteworthy. After serving as Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, he took charge of Leicester City and successfully guided the Foxes back to the Premier League at the first attempt during his time at the King Power Stadium.

His strong performance earned him the managerial role at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2024, where he continued to showcase his tactical intelligence and leadership.

Though his tenure at Chelsea ended early in 2025 amid reports of internal differences with club management, Maresca’s reputation remained intact. During his time in charge, he led Chelsea to multiple trophies, including the Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025.

What lies ahead?

With both clubs now in full agreement, the formal confirmation of Maresca’s move to Manchester City is expected within days. He is set to travel to Manchester to sign his contract, which is believed to be a long-term deal underscoring the club’s confidence in his ability to continue their domestic and European dominance.

The Italian coach is set to sign a three-year contract that will keep him at the Etihad until 2029. As Maresca prepares to step out from Guardiola’s shadow and take centre stage, he faces the formidable challenge of maintaining Manchester City’s elite standards in both England and Europe.