“Maresca introduced at Manchester City and will have to pay compensation to Chelsea.”

The unexpected outcome of the Enzo Maresca dossier is shaking English football: the Italian, former head coach of Chelsea, has been officially announced as the successor to [Pep Guardiola](https://apitofinal.pt/internacional/enzo-maresca-traz-experiencia-vencedora-ao-comando-do-manchester-city/) at [Manchester City](https://apitofinal.pt/internacional/enzo-maresca-sucede-a-guardiola-no-manchester-city-e-promete-ambicao-maxima/), but he will have to compensate the London club for unilaterally terminating his contract. This twist, with the elements of a soap opera, involves millions and is set to impact not only the present but also the future of the two powerhouses of the [Premier League](https://apitofinal.pt/internacional/bruno-fernandes-e-matheus-cunha-distinguidos-pelas-exibicoes-no-mundial/).

Manchester City confirmed on Monday the signing of Enzo Maresca, who has signed until the summer of 2029, thus returning to the club where he previously served as Guardiola’s assistant during the historic treble-winning season of 2022/23, and as the under-23 team coach in 2020/21. However, Chelsea, the club that Maresca managed between 2024 and January 2026, issued a strong statement clarifying that the coach will be required to pay a compensation fee, as he was bound by a long-term contract without a unilateral termination clause. Meanwhile, City itself has reportedly already paid around 20 million euros to release the coach, according to reports from the Italian press.

THE 2026 WORLD CUP IS EXPERIENCED WITH LEGO

The importance of this episode transcends the simple exchange of coaches. The abrupt departure of Maresca, which took place on January 1, 2026, after a turbulent period with the Blues, left deep scars in the locker room and among the fans. Chelsea does not hide its displeasure with how everything unfolded, emphasizing that the instability created by the coaching change was decisive for the disappointing 2025/26 season. For the Citizens, Maresca’s arrival represents the beginning of a new era, succeeding one of the most iconic coaches in the history of English football.

In a statement released, Chelsea explains the context of the departure: “Chelsea FC acknowledges that the 2025/26 season was extremely disappointing for the Club and its fans. One of the main factors was the disruption caused by the forced changes in the head coach position during the Christmas period,” reads the official note published on the club’s website. The Stamford Bridge club also reveals that it was in the autumn of 2025 that Maresca, then coach, communicated that he might have the opportunity to succeed 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 that opportunity, despite being under a long-term contract that did not allow him to unilaterally terminate it,” the statement notes.

The Blues’ management does not hide their disappointment: “In December 2025, our head coach unexpectedly and abruptly submitted his resignation. Obviously, we felt betrayed, as we believed that his focus and dedication would be with Chelsea, despite having arrived just a year earlier.” The club admits that it did not intend to change the technical leadership mid-season but was forced to accept Maresca’s decision to protect “the players, the fans, and the emblem.”

The statement also confirms that, in light of the situation, a confidential agreement has been reached with Manchester City, which includes the payment of a significant compensation. At the same time, Maresca will also have to reimburse the club: “A confidential agreement has also been reached with the former coach, under which he will pay a compensation,” Chelsea clarifies.

For the immediate future, the Blues are placing all their bets on Xabi Alonso, who takes over as head coach. “Looking ahead to the next season, with Xabi Alonso we have a coach with an exceptional footballing mind and a professional of the highest integrity. He possesses all the qualities necessary to bring back the success that the fans deserve and expect,” the statement concludes.

The outcome of this case is set to influence the coaching market in the coming years, with clubs reinforcing contractual clauses and carefully weighing the risks of investing in coaches coveted by direct rivals. For Maresca, the challenge could not be greater: inheriting Guardiola’s legacy at Manchester City, with the pressure to prove that his departure from Stamford Bridge was justified by sporting success. On the other hand, Chelsea is entering a new phase, betting on stability and the promise of a victorious cycle under Xabi Alonso’s leadership. English football is thus entering a period of profound changes, where loyalty, ambition, and millions of euros dictate the course of the protagonists.

NOW YOU CAN FOLLOW THE WORLD CUP WITH ALL THE INFORMATION – HERE