- Sources close to the club indicate that Chelsea are unwilling to waive their claim
- The club wants clarity on its managerial future but has been unable to make significant progress because of the ongoing dispute
Efforts by Manchester City to appoint Enzo Maresca as the successor to Pep Guardiola have hit a stumbling block following a disagreement with Chelsea over compensation.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Maresca has emerged as City’s preferred choice after Guardiola announced on May 22 that he would leave the club at the end of his tenure, bringing to a close a decade of remarkable success at the Etihad Stadium.
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However, discussions between the two Premier League clubs have slowed as Chelsea insist they are entitled to compensation before releasing the Italian coach, who remains tied to a long-term contract running until 2029.
The London club reportedly believes Maresca’s contractual status gives them the right to negotiate a financial package before any appointment can be formalised. Chelsea are also said to be reviewing the legal implications of the situation as talks continue.
Sources close to the club indicate that Chelsea are unwilling to waive their claim and expect an agreement on compensation to be reached before City can proceed with the appointment.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are eager to resolve the matter quickly as they begin preparations for life after Guardiola. The club wants clarity on its managerial future but has been unable to make significant progress because of the ongoing dispute.
Maresca is familiar with the City setup, having previously served as Guardiola’s assistant during the club’s historic Treble-winning campaign in the 2022–23 season.
The Italian later moved into senior management, leading Leicester City back to the Premier League before taking charge of Chelsea, where he went on to add the Club World Cup and UEFA Conference League titles to his résumé.
Although communication between the two clubs remains open, no breakthrough has been reached, leaving uncertainty over when—or if—Maresca’s return to Manchester City will be completed. The compensation issue remains the major obstacle standing in the way of a deal.
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