Manchester City are on the verge of appointing Enzo Maresca as their manager, with a financial settlement worth more than £10m expected to resolve Chelsea's compensation claims. The west London club are demanding payment after alleging that the Italian breached his contract by speaking to City while still their manager last season.
Chelsea believe they have evidence that Maresca initiated contact with City – and also Napoli – during the chaotic weeks that led to his surprise resignation on New Year's Day. The claim, which has never been disputed, destabilised a season that ended with Chelsea finishing 10th in the Premier League and missing out on European qualification.
“Manchester City are close to a £10m+ settlement with Chelsea to appoint Enzo Maresca after the Italian allegedly breached his contract.”
The relationship between the two clubs remains cordial, and Chelsea sources have indicated they have sufficient proof to report City to the Premier League for an illegal approach but have no plans to do so. Instead, negotiations continue over a deal that would see City pay more than £10m to release Maresca. Chelsea have also considered a separate legal claim against Maresca for breach of contract, but that is likely to be dropped if an agreement is reached.
City, who have 19 players away at the World Cup, do not return for pre-season training until the middle of next month, giving them time to finalise the details. Maresca, however, is eager to start work at the Etihad as soon as possible. The settlement would mark the end of a saga that began when Chelsea paid Leicester £8m in compensation to appoint Maresca two years ago, and continued with a further multimillion-pound payment to sister club Strasbourg to bring in Liam Rosenior as his replacement in January.