Chelsea's pointed statement refuses to name Maresca as £17m Man City move confirmed

Manchester City have appointed Enzo Maresca as their new head coach, paying Chelsea £17 million in compensation after the Italian abruptly resigned from Stamford Bridge in January 2026 with more than three years remaining on his contract.

Chelsea’s official response to the move runs to 326 words and does not mention Maresca by name once. There is no acknowledgement of his achievements at the club — including leading Chelsea to last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup — and the statement’s closing line, which praises incoming manager Xabi Alonso as “a professional of the highest integrity”, reads as a pointed contrast to the man who has just left.

The statement explains that Chelsea were informed in autumn 2025 that their head coach had identified a potential opportunity to succeed Pep Guardiola at City. According to the club, it became clear that pursuing that role was his “strong desire” despite being under a long-term contract he had no right to terminate.

“In December 2025, our Head Coach unexpectedly and abruptly resigned from his position,” the statement reads. “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.”

Chelsea acknowledged that the mid-season upheaval was “a major contributing factor” to what they described as a “hugely disappointing” 2025/26 campaign, and said they felt compelled to explain the circumstances to supporters given recent developments.

On the financial settlement, Chelsea confirmed that a confidential agreement had been reached with Manchester City covering the compensation payment, and that a separate confidential settlement had also been reached with Maresca himself, under which he will pay compensation to the club.

Looking ahead, Chelsea reserved their warmth entirely for Alonso. “He has all the attributes to deliver the success the Club’s supporters deserve and expect,” the statement concluded — a line that, given everything preceding it, was unlikely to be read as accidental.