Enzo Maresca apologises after officially becoming the new Man City manager, with Manchester City confirming the appointment of former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca following months of speculation over Pep Guardiola’s successor.
The Maresca to Man City move has brought one of the Premier League’s most dramatic managerial departures back into the spotlight.
The announcement was accompanied by a remarkable response from Chelsea, who released a strongly worded statement criticising Maresca’s conduct before his mid-season departure from Stamford Bridge.
The Italian has also issued a public apology, while both he and Manchester City will pay compensation to his former club as part of a confidential settlement.
Maresca Apologises After Chelsea Explain Their Frustration Over Exit
The Blues’ statement made it clear that the club remains unhappy with how the former Chelsea head coach left Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea revealed they became aware early in the 2025/26 season that Maresca wanted to succeed Guardiola whenever the long-serving City manager eventually stepped down.
Although Chelsea allowed discussions to take place while he remained under contract, they claimed the situation had a damaging effect on the club.
According to Chelsea, Maresca’s focus gradually shifted away from the team despite having more than three years remaining on his contract. The club said his decision to resign in the middle of the campaign created significant disruption at a crucial stage of the season.
Chelsea also linked his departure to their disappointing domestic campaign, arguing that the instability contributed to the club missing out on its objectives after what had initially been a promising start under the Italian.
The statement added that legal settlements have now been reached with both Manchester City and Maresca, bringing the matter to a close.
Maresca Issues Public Apology
Shortly after the Maresca to Man City appointment, Maresca apologised in a public statement acknowledging the impact of his decision.
The 46-year-old admitted that leaving Chelsea midway through the season caused disruption and apologised to everyone connected with the club.
He insisted that creating instability had never been his intention and thanked Chelsea’s owners, staff and supporters for the opportunity they gave him during his spell at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca also reflected positively on his time in West London, saying the club treated him well and that he would always value the success they achieved together.
His apology formed part of the settlement between the two clubs, with reports also confirming that Maresca has agreed to pay compensation in addition to the fee Manchester City will hand over.
Manchester City Pay Record Compensation
Manchester City’s pursuit of the new Man City manager has come at a significant financial cost.
The Premier League champions are understood to be paying Chelsea around £17 million in compensation, making it one of the biggest managerial compensation packages in football history.
The payment reflects both Maresca’s long-term contract as Chelsea head coach and the confidential agreement reached between the clubs after his unexpected resignation in January.
While the exact amount of Maresca’s own contribution has not been disclosed, Chelsea confirmed that compensation would also come directly from their former head coach.
New Man City Manager Returns To Familiar Surroundings
Despite the controversy surrounding his departure from Chelsea, the Maresca to Man City move sees the Italian return to familiar surroundings.
Before managing Leicester City and Chelsea, he spent time working under Guardiola at Manchester City, helping the club during one of the most successful periods in its history. He also previously coached City’s Elite Development Squad.
That experience made him one of the leading candidates to become the new Man City manager after Guardiola announced his decision to step down following a trophy-filled decade at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak welcomed Maresca back to the club, praising his tactical knowledge, leadership qualities and understanding of City’s football philosophy.
Maresca also expressed his excitement about returning, describing Manchester City as one of the best-run football clubs in the world and saying he was looking forward to the challenge ahead.
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Chelsea Looking Ahead
Although Chelsea’s statement focused heavily on the events surrounding Maresca’s departure, the club also stressed that its attention is now firmly on the future.
The Blues have already moved on from the former Chelsea head coach with Xabi Alonso and will hope to leave one of the most turbulent chapters in the club’s recent history behind them.
Maresca’s spell at Stamford Bridge included memorable success, with Chelsea winning both the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup during his time in charge.
However, his abrupt exit midway through the following campaign ultimately overshadowed much of that progress.
Now that Maresca apologises, compensation has been agreed, and the Italian has been unveiled as the new Man City manager, both clubs will hope the dispute can finally be put to rest.
Attention will instead turn to the new Premier League season, where the new Man City manager will begin the difficult task of following Guardiola’s extraordinary legacy at Manchester City, while Chelsea attempt to rebuild under new leadership after a campaign that both sides clearly believe could have unfolded very differently.
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