Chelsea felt Enzo Maresca had his “head and heart” focused on an opportunity to succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City during his time at Stamford Bridge.
City have confirmed the appointment of the Italian on a three-year contract after agreeing a compensation package with Chelsea, amounting to £17 million ($22.4 million).
Maresca had more than three years remaining on his contract when he left Stamford Bridge in January after a poor run of form and a breakdown in his relationship with the club’s ownership.
Chelsea brought in Liam Rosenior, but he lasted just three months, with Calum McFarlane again stepping in on an interim role before Xabi Alonso was given the job full-time ahead of the new campaign.
After Maresca’s appointment was announced by City, the Blues released a strongly-worded club statement to address issues surrounding his departure from Stamford Bridge, which confirmed the Italian would himself be paying compensation under the terms of the settlement.
“Chelsea FC appreciates the 2025/26 season was a hugely disappointing one for the club and its supporters. A major contributing factor was the disruption caused as a result of changes that the club was forced to make to the head coach position over the Christmas period,” a statement on Chelsea’s website read.
“Due to recent developments, we consider that it is important to explain to our supporters what happened and why our former head coach left the club on January 1 2026.
“In Autumn last year, the club was informed by our former head coach that there might be an opportunity for him to succeed Pep Guardiola at the end of the season. It became clear to us that it was his strong desire to succeed Guardiola and that he was fully committed to pursuing the opportunity, despite the fact he was under a long-term contract which he had no right to terminate.
“In December 2025, our head coach unexpectedly and abruptly resigned from his position. Obviously, we felt let down as we believed that his head and heart were focused on another club and another opportunity, despite having just arrived at Chelsea the year before.
“No club wants to change its head coach midway through a season. However, in light of his decision not to continue fulfilling his responsibilities through to the end of the season, the club was left with no choice but to protect our players, our supporters, and the badge and accept his resignation.
“In the circumstances and given the mutual respect between clubs, a confidential settlement has been reached with Manchester City, which includes the payment of compensation. A confidential settlement has also been reached with the former head coach under which he will pay compensation.
“Looking forward to next season, in Xabi Alonso, we have a manager who has an exceptional football mind and is a professional of the highest integrity. He has all the attributes to deliver the success the club’s supporters deserve and expect.”
