Manchester City confirms Enzo Maresca appointment as Chelsea details former coach’s exit
Maresca’s departure from Chelsea
Enzo Maresca has been appointed as the new manager for Manchester City, succeeding Pep Guardiola. This announcement follows Maresca’s departure from Chelsea on 1 January 2026, a move that Chelsea described as a significant factor in their disappointing 2025/26 season. Chelsea’s club statement indicated that Maresca’s exit caused disruption, particularly as it occurred over the Christmas period.
According to Chelsea, in autumn 2025, Maresca informed the club of a potential opportunity to succeed Guardiola at the end of the season. Chelsea stated that it became clear Maresca had a strong desire to pursue this opportunity, despite being under a long-term contract that he did not have the right to terminate. His resignation in December 2025 was unexpected, leading Chelsea to feel that his focus was on another club.
Maresca himself has apologised for the disruption his departure caused at Stamford Bridge. He stated on his personal Instagram account that the decision to resign was his own and that it opened a path for him to join Manchester City, a club he was familiar with. Maresca acknowledged that his mid-season exit caused disruption for Chelsea and expressed that it was neither his intention nor his wish.
Compensation agreements reached
Both Manchester City and Enzo Maresca will pay compensation to Chelsea as part of confidential settlements. Sky Sports News understands that Manchester City will pay Chelsea £17m. This compensation comes after Maresca left Chelsea with three-and-a-half years remaining on his contract.
Chelsea’s statement confirmed that confidential settlements were reached with both Manchester City and Maresca. The club emphasised that no club wishes to change its head coach mid-season, but given Maresca’s decision not to continue fulfilling his responsibilities, they had no alternative but to accept his resignation to protect the club’s interests.
Manchester City confirmed Maresca’s appointment on a three-year deal. City also acknowledged that confidential conversations took place between their representatives and Maresca in autumn and winter of 2025, while he was still Chelsea’s head coach. These discussions were regarding the possibility of him returning to City in a leadership coaching capacity should Guardiola decide to leave.
Maresca had previously served as an assistant coach under Guardiola at Manchester City between June 2022 and 2023, a period during which the club achieved a Treble. His return to Manchester City comes over a month after Guardiola’s departure from the club.
Impact on Chelsea’s season and future
Chelsea’s 2025/26 season concluded with the club finishing in 10th place in the Premier League, missing out on European football. The club highlighted the disruption caused by the change in head coach over the Christmas period as a major contributing factor to this outcome. Following Maresca’s departure, Chelsea appointed Liam Rosenior, who was in charge for 106 days before being sacked.
The relationship between Maresca and Chelsea reportedly fractured over time, with reports of poor form, public comments to the media, and disagreements with medical staff contributing to strain within the club. His final game in charge for Chelsea was a 2-2 draw at home against Bournemouth.
Looking ahead, Chelsea has appointed Xabi Alonso as their new manager. The club described Alonso as having an exceptional football mind and high integrity, with attributes to deliver success for the supporters. Manchester City players are scheduled to return for pre-season on 20 July, with the team set to fly to Hong Kong the following week for a friendly against Inter Milan on Saturday, 1 August.
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Source: chelseafc.com
As NewsUK's Senior Football Correspondent, Thomas Beckwith reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on three World Cups for a national news agency. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Thomas lives in Sheffield, where he watches lower-league football most weekends. “Football writing is about the decisions, not just the result.”
