Manchester City don close to announcing Enzo Maresca as dia new manager, according to sources wey talk to ESPN. Di club don agree di framework of compensation package with Chelsea, and Maresca fit be unveiled as Pep Guardiola successor as early as this week.
City bin hope to confirm Maresca appointment for di week after Premier League finish, but dem don delay am because Chelsea demand compensation, despite dem sacking di Italian for January. Chelsea go receive more than £10 million ($13 million) for Maresca, wey sign five-year contract for Stamford Bridge for June 2024.
Maresca no be stranger for City—he bin serve as assistant to Guardiola for di 2022-23 treble-winning season, and before dat, he bin coach di Elite Development Squad from 2020. He later go Leicester City, guide dem back to Premier League for 2023-24, before joining Chelsea for summer 2024.
Di Italian spend one and half seasons for Chelsea before im tenure end abruptly for New Year’s Day. Di way im leave don affect di announcement, as Chelsea bin consider reporting City for illegal approach and take legal action against Maresca for breach of contract.
According to ESPN, settlement between City and Chelsea don nearly finalize, and Maresca fit be officially unveiled as City new boss soon. Chelsea go get significant fee wey dem need after failing to qualify for European competition next season.
Meanwhile, City dey continue pursuit of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, and dem also get interest for Newcastle‘s Sandro Tonali, wey Tottenham don bid for. City want strengthen midfield after Bernardo Silva leave on free transfer and doubts about futures of Nico González and Tijjani Reijnders.
Maresca go sign three-year contract to take over from Guardiola, wey announce im departure after 10 years for Etihad. Following Guardiola achievements na big task, but City dey confident say Maresca fit steer di club to new era of dominance.
Chelsea dey prepare for new era under Xabi Alonso, wey dem pick to bring stability and help di club return to prominence. Di whole saga don set up matches between Chelsea and Man City for December 2026 and April 2027 as must-watch games for di 2026-27 season.
