YOUTH
Maresca leaves Chelsea mid-season for City: the third Etihad act begins
Italian manager Enzo Maresca has been officially appointed by Manchester City following his resignation from Chelsea, with reports indicating a reported €20m termination fee paid to the London club. Maresca confirmed that his decision to leave Stamford Bridge was entirely his own, made at the end of December 2025. The move marks his third stint at the Etihad Stadium, where he previously coached the youth team in 2020-21 and served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant in 2022-23.
Maresca signed a contract with Manchester City valid until June 2029, giving him long-term stability at a club he described as ‘incredibly well-run’ and ‘innovative, planned and purposeful’. ‘For a manager, that is a dream situation,’ he told the club website. ‘It provides the consistency I need to do my job effectively.’
The appointment follows months of uncertainty, including the period before Guardiola announced his end-of-season departure. Maresca acknowledged the disruption caused by his mid-season exit from Chelsea, stating, ‘I recognise that my departure from Chelsea in the middle of the season caused disruption for the club and I apologise for that.’
He added, ‘I was treated well by everyone at Chelsea and together we achieved great success and memories that I will always treasure.’ His time at Chelsea included winning the UEFA Conference League in May 2025 and the FIFA Club World Cup in July 2025.
Maresca’s only prior coaching role in Italy was a brief 14-game spell at Parma from May to November 2021, before his return to Manchester City as part of Guardiola’s staff. His deep familiarity with the club’s structure and culture is central to his appointment.
The reported €20m termination fee negotiated with Chelsea reflects the value placed on securing Maresca mid-season. The agreement followed months of negotiations to resolve his contract, which had technically remained valid until January 1, 2026.
In a statement, Maresca expressed gratitude to Chelsea’s owners and fans, saying, ‘I am grateful to the club, the owners and the fans for giving me the opportunity.’ He described his new role as ‘a brilliant opportunity’ and said he ‘cannot wait to start coaching the players’.
With Manchester City now under new leadership for the first time in over a decade, Maresca’s appointment signals continuity rather than change. His third chapter at the Etihad begins with clear expectations: to win, play good football, and embrace the pressure of representing the club.