Enzo Maresca is set to be appointed the new Manchester City head coach(Image: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
1. City are closing in on the official appointment of Maresca as their new head coach. The former Chelsea boss was considered to be the leading candidate for the role immediately after Pep Guardiola confirmed his departure.
2. What was hoped would be a quick and smooth transition has been anything but for the Blues. Delays surrounding a compensation package to Chelsea has pushed back an official confirmation.
3. However, the Blues have this week made progress with a deal to pave the way for his arrival.
4. Maresca's aim has been to re-join City and the Italian head coach turned down other jobs to wait for the Blues.
5. City are set to pay out an eight-figure sum to Chelsea to secure Maresca's arrival.
6. The exact timeframe for Maresca's appointment has not been confirmed yet. But, he is set to start work next month ahead of the pre-season tour of Asia.
7. Maresca's first game in charge of City will be on Saturday, August 1, when they take on Inter Milan in Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium.
8. City will also face a Korean League XI and Atletico Madrid before returning to Manchester.
9. Maresca's first competitive fixture will be on Sunday, August 16, when the Blues take on Arsenal at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
10. Meanwhile, his first Premier League game will be a week later when they host AFC Bournemouth in a 2pm kick off. Read the full story [here](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-cleared-confirm-enzo-34169465).