It has emerged that Chelsea and Manchester City are locked in talks with Enzo Maresca, the subject, ahead of becoming Pep Guardiola’s replacement just six months after leaving Chelsea.
Maresca left Chelsea on New Year’s Day this year, 18 months into his role as manager. Chelsea had gone through a poor run of results, including a loss to Leeds, but looked good to finish in the top five places.
Do you think Chelsea should have parted with Enzo Maresca?🤔
The Italian’s tenure is the most successful of any manager to take the helm during the BlueCo era. He won the Conference League and guided this Chelsea side to the Club World Cup trophy just 12 months ago.
Maresca’s criticism of the hierarchy having too much power, and his frustration with the club’s medical department, spilled over publicly, and it saw the former Leicester City boss resign on January 1 this year.
Why Chelsea and Man City are in talks regarding Maresca
Six months on from his Chelsea exit, Maresca is set to take over as Man City manager. It is a well-known secret that Maresca, who worked under Pep Guardiola at City, has been given Guardiola’s blessing.
According to The Mail, City and Chelsea are now locked in talks over a compensation fee for Maresca. Chelsea feel they are due a compensation fee given Maresca only left the club earlier this year.
Technically, Maresca was not sacked by Chelsea, and he resigned with three and a half years left to run on his contract. Chelsea therefore feel that they are due compensation for the Italian’s exit from Man City.
Chelsea believe Maresca’s decision to walk caused their season to implode, eventually finishing in 10th. That is, of course, putting aside BlueCo’s decision to bring in Liam Rosenior, which resulted in failure.
The Mail report that a fee is likely to be substantial, with talks firmly underway between the two clubs after initial suggestions that Chelsea would pursue compensation from City if they did hire Maresca.
How much compensation did Maresca earn from Chelsea?
If Chelsea do receive a cash sum from City ahead of their appointment of the former Parma man, then at least it will offset the compensation they paid Maresca. Again, his decision to resign saved Chelsea cash.
DISCUSS: Sacking Maresca was one of Boehly’s biggest mistakes…
That is, if weighed up against being sacked. Had he been sacked, BlueCo would have been forced to pay up the remainder of his contract or at least a good portion. Instead, Maresca earned little over £4m.
Man City are yet to announce the arrival of Maresca as their next manager, but it is more than likely that Xabi Alonso and Maresca will share a touchline come next season. Maresca has very big shoes to fill.
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