Manchester City to pay £20 m to appoint Enzo Maresca

Manchester City is poised to appoint Enzo Maresca as its new manager following a reported agreement with Chelsea on a substantial compensation package. The move would see the 46-year-old Italian succeed Pep Guardiola, who concluded his decade-long tenure at the club at the end of the 2025-26 season.

According to widespread reports, the Premier League champions have reached a verbal agreement to pay Chelsea approximately 20 million pounds to release Maresca from his contract. This fee would rank among the highest ever paid for a head coach. An official announcement is expected before the end of June.

The appointment concludes a protracted negotiation process that reportedly caused significant frustration for Manchester City. Sources indicate the club had expected a more straightforward resolution, believing Maresca was effectively free to move after he left Chelsea in January. Chelsea, however, maintained a firm stance that they were entitled to significant compensation for a manager who remained under a long-term contract.

Chelsea's position was reportedly based on the belief that Maresca had been approached by City while still under contract at Stamford Bridge last season, a...