According to Sky Sport Italia, Manchester City have agreed to pay a substantial compensation fee to Chelsea to release Italian manager Enzo Maresca from his contract. Maresca is set to officially replace Pep Guardiola at the helm of the Premier League champions.
It is no secret that Maresca was Manchester City’s top choice to succeed Guardiola. The Italian strategist is deeply familiar with the club’s inner workings, having served as Guardiola’s assistant manager at the Etihad Stadium during the historic 2022-2023 season.
Legal Threats and Compensation Agreement
Since Maresca was still under contract with the Blues, Manchester City had to engage in intense negotiations to secure a mutual termination. This came amid legal threats from Chelsea, who accused City of tapping up the manager by entering direct negotiations without permission over the past few months.
According to renowned transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, the two Premier League giants finally shook hands on a deal worth approximately €20 million. With the agreement finalized, Maresca is now free to sign a three-year contract with Manchester City.
Maresca’s Rise to the Elite
Maresca has established himself as one of the world’s elite tactical minds since leaving Manchester City in 2023. He led Leicester City to a spectacular promotion back to the Premier League, which earned him the Chelsea job in the summer of 2024.
During his tenure at Stamford Bridge, he guided the Blues to continental glory by winning the UEFA Conference League and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Despite his on-field success, his sudden departure in January 2026 was triggered by deep-seated disagreements with the Chelsea board over club management.
