Newly unveiled Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has apologised to Chelsea supporters over his mid-season departure from Stamford Bridge, admitting that his decision caused disruption to the club’s 2025/26 campaign.
Maresca, who officially took over as Manchester City manager following the departure of Pep Guardiola, said leaving Chelsea midway through the season was entirely his decision and expressed regret over the consequences of his resignation.
“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,” Maresca said in a statement released on Monday.
“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.”
Chelsea also broke its silence on the circumstances surrounding the Italian’s departure, describing the 2025/26 season as hugely disappointing and attributing much of the club’s struggles to the managerial upheaval that followed his resignation.
In a detailed statement, the Blues disclosed that they were informed during the autumn of 2025 that Maresca was interested in succeeding Guardiola at Manchester City once the opportunity arose.
According to the club, it later became evident that the former head coach was determined to pursue the role despite being under a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea stated that Maresca unexpectedly resigned in December 2025, leaving the club with little option but to accept his decision in order to safeguard the interests of the players, supporters and the club.
“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,” the statement read.
The London club further revealed that confidential compensation agreements had been reached with both Manchester City and Maresca over the circumstances surrounding his exit, although the financial details were not disclosed.
Chelsea maintained that while it felt disappointed by the manner of the coach’s departure, the settlements reflected the mutual respect between both clubs and brought the matter to a close.
Maresca’s move to the Etihad Stadium marks a new chapter in his managerial career, while Chelsea will be hoping to rebuild after a turbulent campaign that saw the club undergo an unexpected change in leadership midway through the season.
