Chelsea’s decision to publicly explain Enzo Maresca’s departure as head coach has shed new light on one of the most controversial managerial exits in recent Premier League history.
The club has accused the Italian of pursuing the Manchester City job while still under contract at Stamford Bridge, saying his mid-season resignation disrupted their campaign and contributed to a disappointing 2025/26 season.
Maresca has since been appointed Manchester City’s new head coach following Pep Guardiola’s departure, while Chelsea have turned to Xabi Alonso to begin a new era.
Sporting Tribune gives a detailed account of how the saga unfolded.
Background
According to a Chelsea statement released on Monday, concerns first emerged in late 2025 when Maresca informed club officials that he could have the opportunity to replace Guardiola at Manchester City at the end of the season.
Chelsea said Maresca made it clear he wanted the City job and was determined to pursue it despite having signed a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge.
In a statement released on the club’s official website, Chelsea said, “It became clear to us that it was his strong desire to succeed Pep 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.”
The club maintained that it expected Maresca to remain fully committed until the end of the season.
Resignation that changed Chelsea’s season
Chelsea said the situation escalated in December 2025 when Maresca unexpectedly resigned, and as such the club believes his departure destabilised the team during a critical stage of the campaign.
Chelsea stated, “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.”
The Blues said they were left with no option but to accept the resignation because they believed the coach was no longer committed to leading the team.
The club added, “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.”
Chelsea also admitted they felt “let down” because they believed Maresca’s attention had shifted to another club.
Interim period
Chelsea did not appoint Xabi Alonso immediately after Maresca’s departure.
The club first turned to Liam Rosenior, but his spell lasted only 106 days before Chelsea made another managerial change.
Chelsea eventually finished the 2025/26 Premier League season in 10th place, missing out on European qualification, and the club cited the managerial disruption as one of the factors behind the disappointing campaign.
Compensation agreements
One of the biggest talking points following Maresca’s appointment at Manchester City has been the compensation involved.
Chelsea confirmed two separate confidential agreements:
One between Chelsea and Manchester City, under which City agreed to pay compensation to secure Maresca’s release, while another is between Chelsea and Maresca himself, under which the Italian will also pay compensation to the club.
While the financial details remain confidential, reports indicate Manchester City are paying Chelsea around £17 million.
Chelsea said, “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.”
Maresca’s side of the story
Unlike Chelsea’s account, Maresca insists the decision to leave was entirely his own.
Following his appointment at Manchester City, he admitted resigning from Chelsea and apologised to the club and supporters.
He wrote on Instagram, “At the end of December 2025, I made the difficult decision to leave Chelsea.
“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.
“I was treated well by everyone at Chelsea and together we achieved great success and memories that I will always treasure.
“I am grateful to the club, the owners and the fans for giving me the opportunity.”
He also acknowledged that resigning from Chelsea ultimately opened the path for him to become Guardiola’s successor.
Allegation of wrongdoing?
Chelsea’s statement does not accuse Manchester City of making an improper approach.
Instead, the club’s complaint centres on Maresca’s decision to resign midway through the season after expressing a strong desire to become Guardiola’s successor.
Chelsea also confirmed that both clubs reached compensation agreements before the appointment was finalised, indicating the move was ultimately resolved through negotiation rather than a formal dispute.
Maresca’s Chelsea record
Maresca’s spell at Chelsea lasted 549 days, making it one of the shorter managerial tenures in the club’s modern era.
During that period, he recorded 55 wins and 16 draws in 92 matches across all competitions, giving him a win rate of nearly 60 per cent.
In his only full season in charge (2024/25), Chelsea finished fourth in the Premier League and won two trophies: the UEFA Conference League, beating Real Betis 4-1 in the final, and the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, defeating Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final.
Why Manchester City wanted him
Manchester City had little hesitation in appointing Maresca, as the Italian knows the club well, having previously managed City’s Elite Development Squad before serving as Guardiola’s assistant during the historic 2022/23 Treble-winning campaign.
City have handed him a three-year contract until 2029.
Speaking after his appointment, Maresca said, “Manchester City is a club I know very well and to have the chance to manage this team is a brilliant opportunity for me.
“City is an incredibly well-run football club. Everything they do is innovative, planned and purposeful. For a manager, that is a dream situation.”
Manchester City chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, described Maresca as the ideal candidate to continue the club’s football philosophy.
Chief executive, Ferran Soriano, also praised the Italian’s previous work at City and his managerial achievements at Leicester City and Chelsea.
Chelsea move on with Alonso
The club has appointed Xabi Alonso as the new manager, describing the Spaniard as “a professional of the highest integrity” with “an exceptional football mind.”
Chelsea expressed belief that Alonso can rebuild after a season overshadowed by managerial uncertainty.
“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,” the club stated.
