Man City to appoint Enzo Maresca

Manchester City are moving toward appointing Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola’s successor, according to multiple British media reports on Wednesday. BBC Sport reported Maresca is set to replace Guardiola before next season, while The Guardian said Guardiola told City’s players he will leave after Sunday’s final Premier League game against Aston Villa. Chelsea, Maresca’s former club, expect compensation and are considering legal action over the move, according to reports from the Telegraph, Mirror and AS. ### Why is Maresca the name at the center of City’s succession plan? Enzo Maresca has existing ties to Manchester City after serving on Guardiola’s coaching staff before taking senior jobs elsewhere. BBC Sport said City are set to turn to the Italian as Guardiola’s replacement, reviving a relationship that began during Maresca’s earlier spell at the Etihad. (goal.com) Goal reported Maresca has agreed a three-year contract with City. That report said the club moved quickly to settle on a post-Guardiola choice as the end of Guardiola’s tenure came into view. ### What have the reports said about Guardiola’s departure? Pep Guardiola has not publicly confirmed he is leaving Manchester City, and the club had not formally announced an exit in the reports surfaced on Wednesday. (bbc.com) The Guardian reported Guardiola informed City’s players he would leave after Sunday’s match against Aston Villa, adding that he had wanted to keep the decision private for longer. (goal.com) Yahoo Sports, citing British media reports, said City declined to comment on stories that Guardiola is expected to leave at the end of the season. The same report described the end of a decade-long spell in which Guardiola won major trophies with the club. ### Why does Chelsea say compensation is owed? Chelsea are reported to believe they are entitled to compensation because of the circumstances of Maresca’s exit and his links to City’s vacancy. (theguardian.com) Goal said Chelsea are due a significant compensation payment if Maresca takes the City job. The Telegraph reported Chelsea are preparing a legal complaint over City’s pursuit of Maresca. (sports.yahoo.com) AS said Chelsea are expected to file a complaint if Maresca replaces Guardiola, while the Mirror reported the London club could act unless compensation is paid. ### What is the dispute actually about? The Telegraph said Chelsea are unhappy with the effect of Maresca’s abrupt departure from Stamford Bridge and are weighing legal action against Manchester City. (goal.com) AS reported allegations that Maresca may have spoken with City while still employed by Chelsea, a point also reflected in other tabloid and syndicated reports around the case. (telegraph.co.uk) The reports do not show a public response from Manchester City or Maresca to Chelsea’s legal position. City also have not announced Maresca’s appointment. ### What happens next and when could this become official? Sunday’s Premier League finale against Aston Villa is the immediate next date in the story because The Guardian reported Guardiola told players he would leave after that match. (telegraph.co.uk) Any formal confirmation of Guardiola’s departure or Maresca’s appointment would be expected from Manchester City after that fixture. (sports.yahoo.com) Chelsea’s next move, according to the Telegraph, Mirror and AS, would be to pursue compensation or file a legal complaint if City complete the appointment without resolving the dispute. As of Wednesday, the reporting pointed to a three-year deal for Maresca and a compensation fight still unresolved. (goal.com) (theguardian.com)