Maresca in as Guardiola's Man City successor

Chelsea have said that Enzo Maresca has agreed to pay a compensation package to the club after he was confirmed as Pep Guardiola's Manchester City successor on Monday. Maresca, 46, was announced as Manchester City's manager on a three-year deal after a compensation settlement was agreed with the Italian's former club. He has returned to City for a third spell after previously working in the club's academy and as Guardiola's first-team assistant. It had been expected for some time that Maresca was in line to replace Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium, after the Spaniard stepped down from the role following a trophy-laden decade at the club. Maresca left Chelsea in January. Chelsea released a statement moments after Maresca's appointment at City was announced in which the west London club gave new details about their former manager's exit. There was no suggestion that Maresca's move has damaged the relationship between the clubs. "In Autumn last year, the Club was informed by our former head coach that there might be an opportunity for him to succeed Pep Guardiola at the end of the season," Chelsea said. "It became clear to us that it was his strong desire to succeed Guardiola and that he was fully committed to pursuing the opportunity, despite the fact he was under a long-term contract which he had no right to terminate. "In December 2025, our Head Coach unexpectedly and abruptly resigned from his position. "Obviously, we felt let down as we believed that his head and heart were focused on another club and another opportunity, despite having just arrived at Chelsea the year before. "Looking forward to next season, in Xabi Alonso, we have a Manager who has an exceptional football mind and is a professional of the highest integrity. He has all the attributes to deliver the success the Club's supporters deserve and expect." Maresca apologised to the fans for any disruption caused by his midseason Chelsea exit in a post on Instagram on Monday. "At the end of December 2025, I made the difficult decision to leave Chelsea. The decision was only mine," he said. "My resignation from Chelsea opened a path for me to join Manchester City, which is a club I knew very well. I am ecstatic that I have now joined Manchester City. "I recognise that my departure from Chelsea in the middle of the season caused disruption for the club and I apologise for that. It was neither my intention nor my wish." Sources close to City insist their relationship with Chelsea has not been damaged by the compensation claim for Maresca, which is understood to be around £17 million ($22.49m). The former Leicester boss left Stamford Bridge in January after a breakdown in his relationship with club bosses. City, according to sources, were expecting to pay compensation for any manager they chose to replace Guardiola and insist they have been relaxed about the delay in being able to announce Maresca given that the first-team squad is either at the World Cup or on holiday. "Enzo was the stand-out candidate in our considerations," City CEO Ferran Soriano said. - Premier League 2026 summer transfers: All confirmed ins, outs for every club - Dawson: Don't be fooled into thinking Haaland, Norway 'don't care' at this World Cup "We know his personality and his vision for the way football should be played. He is a man with integrity, charisma and passion. In addition to his successes at Chelsea and Leicester, his City track record speaks for itself. "He managed our EDS team with distinction and was a key contributor to the historic treble season. "We will ensure that he receives everything he needs to be successful here and we are all very much looking forward to seeing his positive impact on the next phase of the club's progress." Maresca is well known to City after two spells at the club. He was appointed as head coach of the Elite Development Squad in 2020 and also served as Guardiola's assistant between 2022 and 2023. He was named Chelsea head coach after guiding Leicester City to promotion to the Premier League in 2024. Maresca won the Conference League and the Club World Cup during his 18-month spell in west London. Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson is set to be Maresca's first City signing. A deal worth £116m has been agreed and sources have told ESPN that the midfielder, who is on duty with England at the World Cup, passed his medical in Kansas City on Sunday.