Manchester City will compensate Chelsea as they close in on appointing Enzo Maresca as their new boss.
Enzo Maresca is all set to become the new Manchester City manager. According to a report from talkSPORT, the Italian manager has agreed a three-year contract with the Premier League giants, with Chelsea set to receive a hefty compensation package.
The matter involving compensation is expected to be resolved before he takes charge at the Manchester-based club. The Blues are more than ready to explore legal options if an agreement can’t be reached between the two English clubs.
Maresca parted ways with Chelsea on New Year’s Day. While multiple reports suggest that his departure had a lot to do with disagreement with the London club’s hierarchy on their transfer policy, Chelsea insiders insist that he left the club to take up the Manchester City job.
Prior to his departure from the West London club, he was contractually obligated to inform them about any approach from interested clubs, and it would have led to discussions over a new deal. The Blues believe his head was turned by the prospect of managing City.
However, people at the Manchester-based club insist there was no chance of them guaranteeing him the job back in January, as they had no clarity on whether Pep Guardiola was leaving the club. People close to the 46-year-old have also stated that he did not leave Stamford Bridge without another job lined up.
Maresca’s move to Manchester City
A month after Maresca left the club, talks between his agent, Jorge Mendes, and City began to advance. Even though City were not certain about Guardiola’s departure, they started making moves to ensure Maresca was aware of their desire to have him succeed the Spanish manager.
While multiple top clubs reached out to him, he was not really keen on any other job. Having worked under Guardiola as an assistant at City, he has a strong desire to succeed him. Even the former Barcelona boss has pushed for his appointment.
Guardiola has already made a decision on his future. He has informed the players that he will be leaving the club, and Manchester City have already lined up a replacement in Maresca.
While City sources and those close to Maresca insist that he can start without a compensation package being agreed between the two parties, it seems the Manchester-based giants do not want any unnecessary legal hurdles and are ready to pay a significant compensation package.
