Chelsea and Enzo Maresca trade blame over controversial exit to Man City
By Dan Kauna, June 29, 2026Chelsea and their former manager Enzo Maresca have clashed openly over his controversial move to Manchester City.
The English club fired the first shot in an official statement on June 29, 2026, blaming the Italian for ruining their season, but Maresca immediately hit back to defend his decision.
The Blues did not hide their anger over how things ended.
In a statement posted on their official website, the club admitted that “Chelsea FC appreciates the 2025/26 season was a hugely disappointing one for the Club and its supporters.”
They put the blame squarely on the manager, stating that “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.”
Chelsea feel let down
According to the London side, they had to speak up because of recent talk online. Management noted that “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.”
Chelsea claimed Maresca wanted out as early as autumn last year to replace Pep Guardiola. The board felt betrayed when he walked away in the middle of the campaign.
The club stated, “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.”
Maresca defends his dream move
Maresca has refused to stay silent, releasing his own statement to clear his name. He insisted he had to take the golden chance, saying, “The decision to leave was only mine. My resignation from Chelsea opened a path for me to join Manchester City, which is a club I knew very well. I am ecstatic that I have now joined Manchester City.”
While he is happy with his new job, the Italian tactician apologised for how his sudden departure affected his former employers. He stated, “I recognise that my departure from Chelsea in the middle of the season caused disruption for the club and I apologise for that. It was neither my intention nor my wish.”
Financial compensation has now settled the bitter row. Chelsea confirmed “a confidential settlement has been reached with Manchester City, which includes the payment of compensation,” alongside an agreement “with the former Head Coach under which he will pay compensation.”