Chelsea release never-before-seen statement as Manchester City confirm Enzo Maresca appointment

Chelsea have lashed out in a dramatic statement released after Manchester City confirmed the appointment of Enzo Maresca.

In January, Chelsea confirmed that manager Maresca had left the club less than six months after winning the Club World Cup at the end of his first season at Stamford Bridge.

With the London club sitting fifth in the Premier League, questions were immediately raised as to why the Italian had suddenly left Chelsea.

Just four months later, it was announced that Manchester City legend Pep Guardiola would be leaving at the end of the 2025/26 season, calling an end to trophy-laden decade in charge.

It didn't take long for fans and pundits to connect the dots as rumours linking Maresca with the upcoming vacancy at the Etihad emerged within hours of the news of Guardiola's departure breaking.

The reports didn't go down well with Chelsea fans, with many theorising that their former manager may have forced his way out of the club when he realised he could have a chance of taking over at City.

One month later, it has been officially confirmed that Maresca has been appointed as City boss, and Chelsea have released a damning never-before-seen statement lashing out at their former manager and providing insight into the circumstances of his departure.

It read: “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”.

“Due to recent developments, we consider that it is important to explain to our supporters what happened and why our former Head Coach left the Club on 1 January 2026.

“In Autumn last year, the Club was informed by our former Head Coach 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."

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The statement continued: “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”.

“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”.

“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."

How much will Chelsea receive after Enzo Maresca appointed by Man City?

Although Chelsea decided against revealing the exact details of the financial compensation received following Maresca's appointment, various reports have confirmed the details.

As per Ben Jacobs, Chelsea have received £17million in compensation following the move, with Maresca also agreeing a separate settlement.

In his own statement, Maresca apologised to Chelsea for the nature of his departure, but added that he was 'ecstatic' now that the move to City was done.

He wrote: “The decision to leave 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”.