Manchester City have officially appointed Enzo Maresca as their new manager – with Chelsea taking fire in a stinging statement.
The Italian has signed a three-year deal at the Etihad Stadium to replace Pep Guardiola.
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It follows Guardiola’s exit at the end of the season following ten years in charge.
Maresca, who resigned as Chelsea boss in January, returns to City after serving as the Spaniard’s assistant during the 2022/23 season.
The 46-year-old also spent time in charge of the club’s under-23s before beginning his senior managerial career with Parma.
His arrival comes after winning the Conference League and Club World Cup during 18 months as Chelsea boss.
It follows weeks of negotiations over a compensation package between City and Chelsea – believed to be worth £17million.
talkSPORT understands Chelsea gave Maresca permission to speak to City with a view to taking over at the end of the season.
Sources claim Maresca ‘lost his head’ after that meeting, forcing an exit and forcing them to make an unwanted mid-season change which ultimately cost them European football, with the Blues ending in tenth spot.
What has Maresca said about becoming Man City’s new boss?
Expressing his delight when speaking to the club’s website, Maresca said: “Manchester City is a club I know very well.
“And to have the chance to manage this team is a brilliant opportunity for me.
“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.
“This will be my third spell here. I know this Club, I know the demands and I know the expectations.
“The quality of the people who work here is what makes it so special, and I want to thank them for showing faith in my ability.
“I cannot wait to start coaching the players. I want us to win, play good football and enjoy the pressure of representing Manchester City.”
Shots fired
Chelsea, who have named Xabi Alonso as Maresca’s replacement at Stamford Bridge, have followed up the news with their own statement, as they refused to mention the Italian’s name – insisting their former boss informed them of his desire to make the move to the Etihad at the start of the year.
It read: “Chelsea FC appreciates the 2025/26 season was a hugely disappointing one for the club and its supporters.
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“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.
“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.
“In Autumn last year, the club was informed by our former Head Coach that there might be an opportunity for him to succeed Pep 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 the opportunity, despite the fact he was under a long-term contract which he had no right to terminate.
“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.
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“No club wants to change its head coach midway through a season.
“However, in light of his decision not to continue fulfilling his responsibilities through to the end of the season, the club was left with no choice but to protect our players, our supporters, and the Badge and accept his resignation.
“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.
“Looking forward to next season, in Xabi Alonso, we have a manager who has an exceptional football mind and is a professional of the highest integrity.
“He has all the attributes to deliver the success the club’s supporters deserve and expect.”
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Enzo Maresca’s apology to Chelsea
Following his announcement at the Etihad, Maresca took to social media to apologise to Chelsea as to how things ended in west London.
His Instagram post read: “At the end of December 2025, I made the difficult decision to leave Chelsea.
“The decision 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.
“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.
“I was treated well by everyone at Chelsea and together we achieved great success and memories that I will always treasure. I am grateful to the club, the owners and the fans for giving me the opportunity.”
Reacting to Chelsea’s statement on the White and Jordan show, talkSPORT co-host Jim White said: “That’s a character assassination is, it not?”
To which ex-Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan stated: “Or is it a detailed expose of what happened?”
Maresca will come up against Chelsea for the first time as City boss when the two teams face off at the Etihad on December 12.
The Blues then welcome the Citizens to Stamford Bridge on April 24.
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