Maresca gone, Chelsea take £17m and fire back
Enzo Maresca is a Manchester City manager. Your former head coach signed a three-year deal at the Etihad, confirmed Monday, and Chelsea are not hiding their anger (6) (7).
The club released a statement that refused to mention Maresca by name, referencing only "the former head coach" (10). One line cut deep: "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" (2).
The money: Chelsea will receive more than £17m in compensation from Manchester City, plus an undisclosed settlement from Maresca personally (1). City acknowledged in their own statement that "his departure mid-season was disruptive to Chelsea's season" (8).
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Maresca apologised. "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," he said (3). He added the decision was his alone, made at the end of December 2025 (3).
Xabi Alonso wants Granit Xhaka at the Bridge
The Maresca era is over. The Alonso era appears to be taking shape. Xabi Alonso is reportedly pushing hard for Chelsea to sign Granit Xhaka from Sunderland, with insider Mick Brown calling it "definitely one to watch" (5). Alonso is said to be doing everything in his power to convince the club to finalise the deal (5).
Sam Kerr signs for Gotham FC
Sam Kerr has a new club. The former Chelsea striker has joined NWSL side Gotham FC (4). Her time at Chelsea defined an era, and now she takes on a new challenge stateside.
Fan reactions
The tone on Reddit is a mix of bitterness and reluctant profit-taking. The £17m figure softened the blow for some, with one thread focusing entirely on the compensation breaking through as the top story on r/soccer. Maresca's apology landed poorly with several fans, who noted the contradiction between calling the exit unintentional while admitting he engineered the path to City. The club's cold statement, refusing to name him, resonated with a fanbase that feels the same way.
