Tuesday, June 9, 2026 - Negotiations between Chelsea and Manchester City over the potential appointment of Enzo Maresca as the successor to Pep Guardiola have stalled amid a dispute over compensation.
Guardiola confirmed on May 22 that he would step down from
his role at City after a highly successful decade in charge, prompting the club
to identify Maresca as their leading candidate to take over at the Etihad
Stadium.
However, discussions between the two clubs have become
increasingly complicated, with Chelsea insisting they are entitled to
compensation for Maresca, who left Stamford Bridge only months ago while still
under contract until 2029.
According to reports, Chelsea maintain that the circumstances
surrounding his departure mean a financial settlement is required before any
move can be completed, with the club exploring its legal position while talks
continue.
A Chelsea source said the club’s stance remains firm, noting
that Maresca’s contract status means “there is an obligation for compensation
to be agreed before any appointment can proceed.”
Manchester City are understood to be keen to finalize an
agreement quickly as they prepare for a new managerial era following
Guardiola’s exit announcement, but negotiations have slowed due to
disagreements over valuation and timing.
Maresca, who previously worked as an assistant to Guardiola
during City’s Treble-winning 2022–23 season, is reportedly open to returning to
the club where he also spent time within the coaching setup before moving into
senior management.
The Italian coach later managed Leicester City, guiding them
to promotion to the Premier League before his spell at Chelsea, where he won
the Club World Cup and the UEFA Conference League.
While both clubs remain in discussions, the timeline for any
potential appointment remains unclear, with compensation now the major obstacle
delaying progress.
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