Chelsea have broken their silence over Enzo Maresca’s departure, revealing in a bombshell statement that their former head coach resigned in December 2025 because he wanted to succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City — despite being under a long-term contract he had no right to terminate.
In a statement posted to their official Instagram account, the club said they were first informed in Autumn 2025 that Maresca believed there might be an opportunity for him to take over at City 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,” Chelsea said.
The situation came to a head in December 2025 when Maresca resigned abruptly. Chelsea said they felt “let down,” adding: “We believed that his head and heart were focused on another club and another opportunity, despite having just arrived at Chelsea the year before.” The club said they had no choice but to accept his resignation in order to “protect our players, our supporters, and the Badge.”
Chelsea confirmed they have reached a confidential financial settlement with Manchester City, which includes the payment of compensation. A separate settlement has also been reached with Maresca himself, under which he will personally pay compensation to Chelsea.
The statement concluded by looking ahead, with Chelsea confirming Xabi Alonso as their new manager for next season, describing him as someone with “an exceptional football mind” and “a professional of the highest integrity.”
The extraordinary disclosure — made just hours after City confirmed Maresca’s appointment — lays bare one of the most controversial managerial departures in recent Premier League history.
FULL STATMENT DOWN BELOW:
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.
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.
Looking forward to next season, in Xabi Alonso, we have a Manager who has an exceptional football mind and is a professional of the highest integrity. He has all the attributes to deliver the success the Club’s supporters deserve and expect.
