Chelsea have publicly revealed the circumstances surrounding the departure of former head coach Enzo Maresca, attributing the club’s disappointing 2025/26 campaign to the disruption caused by his unexpected resignation midway through the season.
In a statement released on Monday, the Premier League club described the season as “hugely disappointing” for both the club and its supporters, insisting that the managerial upheaval over the Christmas period played a major role in derailing their ambitions.
According to Chelsea, concerns first emerged in the autumn of 2025 when Maresca informed senior club officials that he believed there could be an opportunity for him to succeed Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager at the end of the campaign.
The club said it quickly became apparent that the Italian coach was eager to pursue the role, despite being tied to a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge.
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“Chelsea FC appreciates the 2025/26 season was a hugely disappointing one for the Club and its supporters,” the statement read. “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 added that Maresca’s commitment to the club came into question as his desire to replace Guardiola became increasingly evident.
“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,” the statement continued.
The club disclosed that the situation escalated in December 2025 when Maresca unexpectedly resigned from his position, leaving Chelsea with little choice but to appoint a new manager during the middle of the campaign.
“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,” Chelsea said.
The Blues maintained that retaining a manager whose commitment had shifted elsewhere would not have been in the best interests of 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 added.
Chelsea also confirmed that confidential settlements had been agreed with both Manchester City and Maresca. Under the agreements, Manchester City will pay compensation to Chelsea, while the former Blues manager will also make a separate compensation payment to the club. Financial details of the settlements have not been disclosed.
Looking ahead, Chelsea expressed confidence in new head coach Xabi Alonso, describing him as “a professional of the highest integrity” and praising his “exceptional football mind”. The club said it believes Alonso possesses the qualities required to restore Chelsea to competing for major honours after a turbulent season.
The statement marks the first official explanation from Chelsea regarding the events that led to Maresca’s departure, offering supporters the club’s version of one of the most dramatic managerial exits in recent Premier League history.
