Manchester City and Chelsea are reportedly in ongoing discussions regarding Enzo Maresca, who has emerged as a leading candidate to take over from Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.

Guardiola confirmed on May 22 that he would step down as Manchester City manager after a highly successful spell filled with major trophies, prompting the club to begin planning for a new era. Maresca has quickly become one of the top names under consideration for the role.

Negotiations between both clubs are said to be at an advanced stage, with talks centred on a compensation agreement due to Maresca’s recent departure from Chelsea.

The Italian coach was under contract with the London club until 2029 but left Stamford Bridge just six months ago.

Chelsea believe they are entitled to compensation under the terms of his contract and are reportedly exploring all legal avenues while discussions continue.

However, the exact figure and timeline for any potential settlement remain unclear.

Maresca, who guided Chelsea to success in the Club World Cup and Conference League during his spell at the club, is understood to be open to the opportunity at Manchester City.

He previously worked as an assistant to Pep Guardiola during City’s treble-winning 2022–23 season and also played a key role within the club’s academy setup before moving into senior management.

Before his time at Chelsea, the former West Brom and Juventus midfielder managed Leicester City, leading them to Premier League promotion in his only season in charge.

Both clubs are now working to resolve the situation as discussions continue over his next managerial step.