Manchester City are close to appointing Enzo Maresca as their new manager on a three-year contract, following an agreement on compensation with Chelsea, where Maresca was previously employed. The 46-year-old Italian coach is expected to replace Pep Guardiola, who announced last month that he will leave City after a decade at the helm.

Sources indicate the compensation package agreed upon with Chelsea exceeds £10 million. The Premier League club sought the payment under Maresca’s existing contract with Chelsea, which was due to run until 2029 before his departure in January. Chelsea had considered pursuing legal options to secure the compensation.

Identified early by Manchester City as the leading candidate for Guardiola’s successor, Maresca has been tasked with steering the club into a new era. While the club declined to comment on the appointment, pre-season preparations are scheduled to begin in mid-July for players not involved in the ongoing World Cup.

The absence of an official announcement and Maresca’s formal introduction has left some players uncertain about their futures at City, as they have yet to meet the incoming manager. Nevertheless, transfer activity continues behind the scenes. City have made two rejected bids for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson and are expected to pursue the England international further, in a bid to fill the void left by departing captain Bernardo Silva.

Industry observers have noted that the delayed confirmation may not significantly impact City’s preparations. Freddie Pye, of City Xtra, noted that with the pre-season limited to players not participating in the World Cup, Maresca and the club have likely remained in close contact regarding plans for the upcoming campaign. Pye also highlighted Manchester City’s strong appeal to potential signings, emphasizing the club’s consistent success, state-of-the-art facilities, and immediate prospects for silverware.

However, he acknowledged that Guardiola’s departure could influence some players’ decisions to stay or leave, as his decade-long tenure marked a period of unprecedented success at the club. The incoming manager’s arrival could signal the end of a chapter for some members of the squad.

As Manchester City prepare to transition leadership, the final steps toward Maresca’s appointment appear imminent, setting the stage for a significant phase in the club’s Premier League journey.