Enzo Maresca: Former Chelsea boss apologises for Stamford Bridge exit and will pay compensation as Man City confirm appointment

New Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca will pay Chelsea compensation and has apologised to the club as the Blues released an explosive statement criticising his unexpected exit last season.

In the fiery statement, which was released at the same time as Maresca's appointment was confirmed, Chelsea revealed details of Maresca's sudden exit and how Man City's interest had turned his head.

It read: "In autumn last year, the club was informed by our former head coach [Maresca] 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."

Following the Italian's departure, Chelsea appointed Liam Rosenior, but he was sacked after just 106 days in charge as the Blues eventually finished the season 10th and without European football.

On his personal Instagram account, Maresca apologised to Chelsea for his exit.

He wrote: "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."

Chelsea were informed by Maresca last autumn that he had been the subject of interest from City about eventually replacing Guardiola when he decided to leave, having worked under him as assistant coach during the 2022/23 season.

Chelsea had no option but to accept his resignation at the end of last year because his head and heart were at City. There were many stories about Maresca being unhappy at Chelsea, but the truth is he wanted to go to City.

The statement said: "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."

Maresca was just over a year into his reign at Chelsea after being appointed to the role in June 2024. At the end of October, the club sat in ninth place, two points off the top five.

The relationship with the club fractured as time went on, with poor form, public outbursts to the media and disagreements with the medical staff putting increasing strain on the environment at the club.

After the 2-0 home victory over Everton in mid-December, Maresca stunned reporters by saying he had endured his "worst 48 hours" at the club and said "many people didn't support us".

He then declined several opportunities to expand on his comments.

The last thing Chelsea wanted to do was change head coach mid-season, but they were left with no choice but to part ways.