Man City hire Enzo Maresca as Chelsea blast former boss in fiery statement

Man City hire Enzo Maresca as Chelsea blast former boss in fiery statement

Manchester City have confirmed the appointment of Enzo Maresca as the successor to Pep Guardiola on a three-year contract running until 2029. The appointment follows weeks of legal negotiations over compensation that delayed the formal announcement at the Etihad Stadium.

The news prompted Chelsea to release a "bombshell" statement detailing the acrimonious circumstances of Maresca's departure from Stamford Bridge. The Blues described their 2025/26 season as hugely disappointing and identified the disruption caused by changes to the head coach position over the Christmas period as a major contributing factor.

According to Chelsea, the club was informed in autumn 2025 that Maresca believed there might be an opportunity to succeed Guardiola. The club alleged that Maresca was fully committed to pursuing the opportunity despite being under a long-term contract he had no right to terminate.

Maresca unexpectedly resigned on January 1, 2026, just over a year after being appointed in June 2024. Chelsea stated they felt let down because his head and heart were focused on another club and another opportunity.

The fallout resulted in two confidential settlements. Sky Sports reports that Manchester City will pay Chelsea £17m (approximately $22.5 million) in compensation. Additionally, Maresca himself has agreed to pay compensation to the London club as part of a separate settlement.

A Fractured Relationship

The breakdown between Maresca and the Chelsea hierarchy was preceded by a decline in form and internal conflict. Reportedly, Maresca clashed with the club in the fall over transfer policies and a reluctance to sign veteran players to aid his title push. His relationship further strained due to disagreements with medical staff and public outbursts to the media.

In mid-December, following a 2-0 win over Everton, Maresca told reporters he had endured his worst 48 hours at the club and claimed many people didn't support us.

His final match was a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, where fans booed and chanted you don't know what you're doing after he substituted Cole Palmer. At the time of his departure, Chelsea were 15 points behind champions Arsenal, having won only one of their last seven Premier League games.

Responses and Aftermath

Maresca addressed the controversy via Instagram, taking full responsibility for the move.

"The decision was only mine. My resignation from Chelsea opened a path for me to join Manchester City, which is a club I knew very well. I am ecstatic that I have now joined Manchester City. I recognise that my departure from Chelsea in the middle of the season caused disruption for the club and I apologise for that. It was neither my intention nor my wish."

Enzo Maresca, Manager, via Instagram

Chelsea’s statement ended with a sharp contrast, describing their current manager, Xabi Alonso, as a professional of the highest integrity with an exceptional football mind.

Following Maresca's January exit, Chelsea briefly appointed Liam Rosenior, who was sacked after 106 days. The Blues finished the 2025/26 season in 10th place, remaining in the top half of the table only by goal difference and missing out on European football for 2026-27.

Maresca returns to a club where he previously served as assistant coach during the 2022/23 treble-winning campaign. His arrival comes as director of football Hugo Viana accelerates a summer rebuild; City have already secured the £116 million signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest and are seeking further additions at right-back, midfield, and forward.