Chelsea set for hefty Enzo Maresca compensation as inside details of his Man City appointment revealed

Enzo Maresca has agreed a three-year contract at Manchester City with a compensation package being finalised, talkSPORT understands.

The matter is set to be resolved before Maresca starts at Manchester City although Chelsea will explore legal options if an agreement isn’t reached.

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Both City sources and those close to Maresca insist Maresca can start regardless.

Maresca quit Chelsea on New Year’s Eve with his departure officially confirmed on New Year’s Day.

Maresca’s blues with Chelsea

Prior to departing, he was contractually obligated to declare to Chelsea approaches from Manchester City and Juventus, yet in doing so also broached a new contract.

Chelsea insiders feel Maresca’s head was turned by the prospect of managing Manchester City, while co-owner Behdad Eghbali hinted the reasons why Maresca left ‘will become kind of clear in due course’.

The clear feeling within Stamford Bridge is Maresca left to join Manchester City.

Yet talkSPORT has learned from City sources Maresca was not promised the Manchester City job last year.

City are adamant it would have been impossible to guarantee Maresca the job given they didn’t know at that point whether Pep Guardiola was staying on going.

Those close to Maresca back up this position, insisting he did not depart Stamford Bridge with any job lined up.

Surprise trio made approaches for Maresca

talkSPORT can reveal Maresca was also contacted by Spurs in the aftermath of Igor Tudor’s departure, prior to Tottenham convincing Roberto De Zerbi to join.

Real Madrid also made an approach in the immediate aftermath of Xabi Alonso’s departure.

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Serie A side Milan were the other club to call Maresca’s agent Jorge Mendes this year.

Those clubs contacted Mendes are part of their due diligence and there is no suggestion any of those jobs was offered.

Why Maresca’s return to City made sense

Returning to Manchester City has always been Maresca’s preference due to a synergy with the club’s ideology and senior leadership. And talks between Mendes and Manchester City began to advance in mid-February even though at that point City were not positive Pep Guardiola would exit.

talkSPORT understands Maresca is endorsed by Pep, who informed the players he was leaving last night.

Pep learned from Johan Cruyff and has been keen to continue his legacy with his coaching philosophy.

The Spaniard is equally as intent on his own legacy continuing at City, and that’s why he is understood to support the appointment of Maresca. talkSPORT understands he even had some input along with sporting director Hugo Viana.

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Maresca has spent much of his time out of work in London, although he made a family trip to the Maldives in order to recharge.

He is well-prepared to return to work. He has spent his time out of the game studying football trends and taken learnings from several sports figures, including volleyball coach Julio Velasco.

Several Manchester City players are understood to be shocked by Pep’s departure even though industry insiders have predicted it coming for quite some time.

Maresca, the man manager

Yet multiple City players have also told talkSPORT they are excited to work with Maresca. The Italian had a strong relationship with the dressing rooms at both Chelsea and Leicester.

The likes of Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella were particularly sad to see him leave Stamford Bridge, while at Leicester City some players were pictured with a sign on a night out in Copenhagen that read, ‘We miss you, Enzo’ soon after he joined Chelsea.

And when Leicester got promoted to the Premier League with a record 102 points in 2023/24, Maresca threw a party for his coaching staff.

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At around 2am, Maresca then heard repeated knocks on his window and realised some Foxes players had camped outside and would end up partying with him through the night.

Which players could Maresca and City target this summer?

Maresca should have no problem bonding with the existing squad, but will also have a say on transfers this summer, working closely with Viana, as City look to strengthen further.

Manchester City are seeking a right-back and central-midfielder as two key priorities.

Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is their top target, while Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez has been linked by reports in Argentina. Newcastle’s Tino Livramento is another player appreciated.