A Saga Finally Settled

Chelsea have drawn a line under the Enzo Maresca saga. The club confirmed they will receive £17m in compensation following the Italian’s move to Manchester City, where he has now been unveiled as Pep Guardiola’s successor on a three-year deal.

Maresca joined Chelsea in 2024 on a five-year contract, winning the Conference League and Club World Cup during 18 months in charge. Not a bad return. Still, it ended sourly.

City confirmed that confidential conversations took place between select club representatives and Maresca in autumn and winter of 2025, while he was still Chelsea’s head coach. That detail matters. Chelsea felt blindsided. Thoroughly let down.

Chelsea say Maresca was given permission to speak to City last year, but the club felt any discussions would result in him staying until at least the end of the season. Instead, he walked on New Year’s Day.

Dual Settlement, Public Apology

The financial resolution covers both clubs and the manager himself. Chelsea confirmed two separate agreements: one with Manchester City and another directly with Maresca.

Maresca also agreed a personal settlement with Chelsea and apologised for the impact his departure caused at the start of the year. In a statement on social media, he called the move to City “ecstatic” while acknowledging the disruption he left behind at Stamford Bridge.

After Maresca’s January exit, Chelsea appointed Liam Rosenior as replacement. Rosenior was sacked in April after Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League, missing European qualification entirely. A brutal end to a wrecked season.

For full Premier League transfer analysis, visit KCPredict. More details on Maresca’s City appointment are available via Manchester City’s official site.