Manchester City have confirmed Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola's successor, with Chelsea revealing the Italian will personally pay compensation as part of a settlement package. The 46-year-old joins on a three-year deal after leaving Stamford Bridge in January. Maresca apologized for the "disruption" caused by his mid-season exit while expressing excitement about returning to a club he knows well.

Chelsea's statement details how Maresca informed them last autumn about Guardiola's potential replacement opportunity, despite being under a five-year contract. His abrupt December resignation came during his first season in charge, where he won the Conference League and Club World Cup within 18 months. Chelsea's subsequent decline saw them finish 10th in the Premier League, missing European competition entirely.

Maresca returns to City for a third spell, having previously managed the Elite Development Squad and served as Guardiola's first-team assistant between 2022 and 2023. The confidential settlement between the clubs and with Maresca himself resolves what could have been a protracted legal battle. Chelsea emphasized mutual respect between the organizations despite the contractual dispute.

The move represents a significant gamble for City, who are banking on Maresca's intimate knowledge of their systems to maintain competitiveness. His track record includes winning two trophies but also presiding over a disastrous second-half collapse that cost Chelsea European football. The compensation arrangement suggests both parties wanted a swift resolution to avoid damaging litigation.