Enzo Maresca has already begun work as Manchester City manager, spending time at the club’s training ground this week and studying data on every member of his squad — even though the Etihad hierarchy has yet to confirm his appointment as Pep Guardiola’s successor.
Chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak has been thrashing out a compensation deal with Chelsea, who sacked Maresca in January. BBC Sport reports that the package is understood to be well in excess of £10m, with Chelsea arguing they are owed compensation because the Italian was contracted to the club until 2029 when he left. City identified the 46-year-old as their only candidate for the unenviable task of following Guardiola, who won 20 trophies in a decade of dominance before announcing his departure last month.
“Enzo Maresca has started work at Man City's training ground before his appointment as Guardiola's successor is confirmed.”
Despite the lack of an official announcement, Maresca has agreed a three-year deal and will meet senior club figures next week to discuss expectations. The Italian, a former Guardiola assistant, is already using the squad data to devise pre-season training sessions for when players return next month. Some will be late due to the World Cup in North America.
City have also pressed ahead in the transfer market, striking a British record deal for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson for a fee of £116m that could rise to £130m. The club had already seen two bids rejected before the agreement was reached. The England international will effectively replace departing captain Bernardo Silva, who joined Real Madrid upon the expiry of his contract. John Stones has also left the Etihad.
Freddie Pye of the City Xtra website told BBC Sport: “Given the absence of any pre-season training until next month, perhaps Maresca and City have not lost out on anything via a delayed announcement. City have a compelling and desirable sales pitch to offer players these days, irrespective of the head coach. The futures of players may be a different story, as some may view the departure of Guardiola as the end of a career segment themselves.”
Maresca knows he is on a hiding to nothing once the season kicks off.