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Manchester City have confirmed the appointment of Enzo Maresca as manager – but only after he personally paid compensation to former club Chelsea.
City are themselves reported to have paid £17m to the Blues in order to secure Maresca’s signature on a three-year contract, but Chelsea have made clear that the Italian was also forced to pay them an undisclosed fee in light of his acrimonious mid-season departure.
“In December 2025, our head coach unexpectedly and abruptly resigned from his position,” Chelsea said in a 327-word statement which omitted Maresca’s name.
“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.”
They added: “In the circumstances and given the mutual respect between clubs, a confidential settlement has been reached with Manchester City, which includes the payment of compensation. A confidential settlement has also been reached with the former head coach under which he will pay compensation.”
Maresca has long been expected to succeed Pep Guardiola, under whom he worked as an assistant at City in 2022-23 before embarking on his own successful managerial career, first at Leicester City and then Chelsea.
“Manchester City is a club I know very well and to have the chance to manage this team is a brilliant opportunity for me,” said the 46-year-old.
“City is an incredibly well-run football club. Everything they do is innovative, planned and purposeful. For a manager, that is a dream situation. It provides the consistency I need to do my job effectively.”
Maresca to bring ‘personality, passion and intelligence’ to City
Maresca, who led Leicester to promotion and won the Club World Cup with Chelsea last summer, said he would relish the pressure of succeeding six-time Premier League winner Guardiola.
“Enzo is someone who has always sought out opportunities to challenge himself and succeed in his managerial career,” said City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
“He brings a personality, passion and intelligence completely aligned to our needs. He is rejoining an organisation that is entirely in lock-step with his ambition and hunger for achievement and his return to Manchester City is therefore a welcome natural next step for both him and the club.”
Chelsea appointed Liam Rosenior as Maresca’s replacement but, after that spell turned sour, have appointed Xabi Alonso, who they noted had “an exceptional football mind and is a professional of the highest integrity”.
