Maresca apologises to Chelsea after £17m settlement seals Manchester City move

Enzo Maresca has been confirmed as Manchester City manager after a drawn-out exit from Chelsea that required a financial settlement of more than £17 million, with the Italian issuing a public apology to his former club as the deal was announced.

Maresca resigned from Chelsea in December 2025, just over a year after joining Stamford Bridge, to pursue the opportunity to succeed Pep Guardiola at the Etihad. All three parties — Maresca, Chelsea, and City — released coordinated statements once the appointment was made official.

“At the end of December 2025, I made the difficult decision to leave Chelsea,” Maresca said. “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 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’s statement made clear the club felt blindsided by the manner of his exit. The club said they had been informed in autumn 2025 that Maresca might pursue the City role, and that it became evident he was “fully committed” to the opportunity 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,” Chelsea wrote. “Obviously, we felt let down.”

The London club confirmed that two separate confidential settlements had been reached — one with Manchester City, which includes compensation paid to Chelsea, and a second with Maresca himself, under which the manager will also pay compensation to his former employers.

Manchester City’s statement framed the appointment as the conclusion of long-term succession planning. “Enzo Maresca has long been regarded by the club as a candidate within our succession planning,” City said. “As a former successful coach within our system, Enzo has a strong relationship with the club’s leadership and he understands how we work and evolve.”

Maresca previously worked within the City Football Group structure before taking charge at Chelsea, where he guided the club to significant success before his abrupt departure. His return to the City orbit, albeit under turbulent circumstances, represents one of the most contentious managerial transitions in recent Premier League history.