Chelsea confirm Man City approached Maresca last autumn, coach must pay compensation | OneFootball

Manchester City have confirmed the appointment of Italian head coach Enzo Maresca, but his previous club Chelsea have confirmed that he will have to pay them compensation after being approached with the offer of becoming the successor to Pep Guardiola last autumn.

Maresca has joined City on a three-year contract until the summer of 2029, bringing the start of his third stint with the club: He had previously worked under Guardiola as an assistant in the treble-winning 2022-23 campaign and also led the club’s Elite Development Squad in 2020-21.

This is the Italian’s second Premier League head coach role following his stint in charge of Chelsea between 2024 and January of 2026.

It was announced on January 1 that Maresca would be leaving his position as head coach of Chelsea and reports at the time suggested that this was due to tension or disagreements with the club’s ownership.

Chelsea have released a statement on Monday, at the same time that City announced their appointment of Maresca, explaining that the coach was originally approached last autumn and that it soon became clear that ‘it was his strong desire to succeed Guardiola’.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 25: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, embraces Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Chelsea FC at Etihad Stadium on January 25, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Chelsea claim that Maresca ‘was under a long-term contract which he had no right to terminate’ and for that reason, the coach will have to pay his former employers compensation.

That is on top of the compensation that City have had to pay Chelsea, which reports in Italy claim was around €20m.

What Chelsea said about Maresca and the compensation he owes them

“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,” read a statement on the Chelsea website.

“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.

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 20: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, reacts during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Chelsea FC at Craven Cottage on April 20, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

“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.

WROCLAW, POLAND – MAY 28: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, acknowledges the fans as he walks past the UEFA Conference League trophy following his team’s victory in the UEFA Conference League Final 2025 between Real Betis Balompie and Chelsea FC at Stadion Wroclaw on May 28, 2025 in Wroclaw, Poland. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

“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.”