Manchester City are closing in on the appointment of Enzo Maresca as their new head coach, with a verbal agreement reportedly in place between all parties involved, according to Sky in Italy.

City are set to pay Chelsea more than £17 million in compensation to secure Maresca's services. The Italian coach departed Stamford Bridge on New Year's Day by mutual consent, leaving behind three-and-a-half years still remaining on his contract.

A quick return to the dugout

Sky in Italy reported on Monday that Maresca is expected to travel to Manchester within 24 hours to put pen to paper on a three-year deal—his first managerial role since his Chelsea exit.

During his sole full season at Stamford Bridge, Maresca delivered the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup titles, and had Chelsea sitting fifth in the Premier League on January 1 before his departure. The club ultimately finished 10th that season.

Guardiola's trusted lieutenant

Maresca is no stranger to the Etihad Stadium. He served as Pep Guardiola's assistant during Manchester City's historic treble-winning campaign in 2023, and earlier guided the club's Elite Development Squad to the Premier League 2 title in the 2020/21 season.

Guardiola departed Manchester City at the close of the 2025/26 season after a decade at the helm—a tenure that produced 17 major trophies. However, his final year ended without a league title, as Arsenal claimed the Premier League crown, marking the first time in Guardiola's managerial career that he had gone back-to-back seasons without winning the top division.

Maresca now steps into one of football's most demanding roles, tasked with reviving a City side that fell short of the Premier League title in Guardiola's farewell campaign.