Enzo Maresca is the new coach of Manchester City. In exchange, Chelsea FC is receiving a transfer fee from its rival. However, the coach himself must also pay money to his former club. The Blues criticized Maresca in a statement and announced that compensation is due.
Last season was a moderate disaster for Chelsea FC: After a dismal second half of the season (finishing 15th in the second half), the London club ended up in 10th place in the Premier League and missed out on European competition. Part of the reason for this drop in performance was the dismissal of Enzo Maresca, who left the club on January 1, 2026—initially reported as a mutual decision. However, Maresca, who has since been confirmed as Manchester City’s new head coach, revealed that it was actually a resignation. What had already been leaked at the time is now official: The prospect of the head coaching job at Man City was a key factor in Maresca’s departure from London.
Chelsea felt “let down” by Maresca
The Blues have now also released a statement criticizing their former coach—without mentioning his name even once: “In December 2025, our head coach unexpectedly and abruptly resigned from his position. Naturally, we felt let down, as we believed his thoughts and heart were already with another club and another opportunity, even though he had only joined Chelsea the year before.”
Maresca had been “fully committed” to seizing the opportunity to become head coach at Manchester City, even though he still had a “long-term contract” that “he was not allowed to terminate.” Given the coach’s decision “not to continue fulfilling his duties until the end of the season,” Chelsea had no choice but to accept Maresca’s resignation. However, this now has repercussions for the Italian. Not only will Man City have to pay Chelsea a reported transfer fee of 20 million euros, but the coach will also have to make a compensation payment to his former club.
Xabi Alonso: A professional “of the highest integrity”
The club states: “Under these circumstances and given the mutual respect between the clubs, a confidential agreement has been reached with Manchester City that includes the payment of compensation. A confidential agreement has also been reached with the former head coach, under which he will pay compensation.” And then the Chelsea statement concludes with another dig at Maresca. With Xabi Alonso, the club now has a coach who not only possesses “an exceptional understanding of the game” but is also a “professional of the highest integrity.”
