Maresca controversy grows as Manchester City and Chelsea trade statements | OneFootball

Manchester City have issued a counter-statement to Chelsea, as the controversy continues to grow over how and when they approached Italian Enzo Maresca, prompting a €20m compensation package.

It was finally announced today that Italy’s Maresca had been appointed as the new Manchester City manager, taking over from his former boss Pep Guardiola with a contract to June 2029.

Enzo Maresca signs on as new Manchester City manager

However, he first had to terminate his contract with Chelsea by mutual consent, having resigned on January 1.

In a statement this afternoon, the Stamford Bridge club hit out at their Premier League rivals, noting that City approached their coach last autumn.

He was “under a long-term contract which he had no right to terminate” and did so because he had the Manchester City job lined up.

Maresca left Chelsea after Manchester City talks

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 13: Enzo Maresca, Head Coach of Chelsea FC, lifts the FIFA Club World Cup trophy after his team’s victory following the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Now City have released their own statement in response.

“Enzo Maresca has long been regarded by the club as a candidate within our succession planning. 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.

“We can confirm that confidential conversations took place between select representatives of City and Enzo Maresca in Autumn and Winter of 2025, while he was Chelsea FC’s Head Coach, regarding the possibility of him returning to City in a transitional leadership coaching capacity should Pep Guardiola decide to leave.

“We acknowledge Chelsea’s statement regarding the context of Enzo’s departure from Chelsea. We also acknowledge the context in which permission for discussions was given, and we recognize that his departure mid-season was disruptive to Chelsea’s season.

“Once terms were agreed with Enzo Maresca, Manchester City and Chelsea FC reached a mutually agreed settlement under which Chelsea FC will receive compensation.”

WROCLAW, POLAND – MAY 28: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, celebrates with the UEFA Conference League trophy after 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 Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

The cost of the compensation package is said to be extraordinary, reaching €20m as reported by Sky Sport Italia, then confirmed by various English sources.

It would seem that is purely between the clubs, but that Maresca also separately had to pay compensation to Chelsea for the breach of contract.