Revealed: Chelsea and Manchester City locked in talks over Enzo Maresca | OneFootball

Manchester City remain locked in talks with Premier League rivals Chelsea over the compensation element of appointing Enzo Maresca as their new head coach.

While initial reports earlier this week indicated that the 46-year-old Italian tactician was already working in tandem with Sporting Director Hugo Viana at Manchester City, a financial dispute with the West London club has delayed any official public announcement.

Manchester City’s hierarchy are eager to finalise paperwork as the club maps out a further summer overhaul, navigating the latest summer transfer market with outstanding situations involving the likes Jack Grealish, Joško Gvardiol, and Rodri among several others.

The necessity of working around contractual fine-print comes with just days until the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament officially kicks off in North America, with City simultaneously advancing first-team matters such as signings and contract adjustments, including for Jérémy Doku and the aforementioned Rodri.

However, until the legal impasse over the managerial position is completely broken, first-team plans, the execution of incoming summer signings, and officially moving on from the historic decade of Pep Guardiola remain temporarily frozen.

Chelsea cause Enzo Maresca hold-up for Man City

According to Sky Sports News’ Kaveh Solhekol and Lyall Thomas, Manchester City remain in talks with Chelsea over compensation for Enzo Maresca, and a deal for the Italian coach is currently in the hands of each club’s respective lawyers.

It is once again reminded that Chelsea are involved in Maresca’s future after he left Stamford Bridge with three-and-a-half years left on his contract. 

Despite the momentary hold-up in proceedings, it is reassured that Manchester City are hopeful of an agreement being reached this week to make Maresca their successor to Pep Guardiola.

Timeline of events for Enzo Maresca

Chelsea are likely to hold out for the absolute maximum capital layout from Manchester City, possibly refusing to sign-off on the Italian’s contractual release a package is settled to their satisfaction.

Manchester City, conversely, will no doubt be pushing for a structured payment format, potentially with a view towards shielding themselves from an arguably unnecessary capital reduction as the summer transfer window prepares to open on June 15.

Once legal teams successfully broker an amicable financial handshake, Enzo Maresca’s immediate priority will be coordinating with Manchester City over a return date for pre-season, with a tour of Far-East Asia lined-up.

First-team stars not involved in the FIFA World Cup are scheduled to report back to the City Football Academy for pre-season in July, with the 2026/27 Premier League campaign set to kick off on the weekend of Saturday, 22 August, 2026.