Manchester City are close to paying Chelsea over £10 million in compensation as they finalise the appointment of Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola's replacement, according to reports. The Italian left Chelsea on New Year's Day after a sudden falling out with the club's hierarchy, having won just one of his final seven league games in charge.
Background of Maresca's move
Maresca, 46, previously worked at City as a youth coach and later as Guardiola's assistant. He left Chelsea months after winning the Club World Cup and Conference League in his first season. However, his departure was marred by reports that City and Napoli had approached him while he was still under contract at Stamford Bridge.
Illegal approach allegations
According to The Guardian, Chelsea believe they have evidence that City's approach was illegal and that Maresca breached his contract by engaging in talks while still their manager. The Blues considered reporting City to the Premier League and threatening legal action but are now negotiating a compensation package.
A settlement is close to being agreed, with Chelsea fighting for every penny. Todd Boehly and the club's hierarchy are convinced the saga contributed to their poor season. When Maresca left, Chelsea were fifth in the table, but under replacement Liam Rosenior they slumped to 10th, missing out on European qualification for the second time in four seasons.
Impact on Chelsea's season
Rosenior lasted just 106 days in charge as his team crashed out of the Champions League and Carabao Cup before losing the FA Cup final to City. As a result, City are expected to pay over £10 million in compensation, only £2 million more than what Chelsea paid Leicester City to sign Maresca in 2024.
Chelsea have since appointed Xabi Alonso as Rosenior's successor. His first game will be a west London derby away to Fulham on August 24. Maresca faces an unenviable task following Guardiola, who won 16 major trophies, including six Premier League titles, in a decade. His first match is set to be against Arsenal in the Community Shield on August 16, before City kick off their Premier League campaign at home to Bournemouth.
