A major revelation has emerged from Stamford Bridge following Enzo Maresca’s shock exit as Chelsea manager on New Year’s Day. While it was widely reported that the Italian had waived a substantial pay-off by resigning, Italian media now claim Chelsea still made a significant payment to him.
Officially, Maresca resigned on 1 January 2026. In reality, his position had become untenable amid growing tensions with the club’s hierarchy, and many believed a sacking was imminent anyway. The departure came after an 18-month spell in which Maresca guided Chelsea to two trophies: the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Chelsea quickly moved on, with Calum McFarlane stepping in as interim boss before Liam Rosenior was appointed as the new head coach after impressing at Strasbourg (another club under the BlueCo network). However, Rosenior has faced intense pressure early in his tenure, losing seven of his first 19 matches across all competitions — including three defeats to Arsenal and two more against PSG. That tally is just 14 fewer losses than Maresca suffered across his entire 92-game reign at the club.
The Pay-Off Controversy
Initially, British reports suggested Maresca had walked away without demanding compensation. According to The Sun, he waived a potential £14 million pay-off that would have been due had the club formally sacked him. With more than three years left on his contract (running until 2029 with an option for an extra year), a dismissal would have triggered a hefty payout.
However, Italian outlet CalcioMercato has contradicted that narrative, claiming Chelsea did pay Maresca £4.3 million upon his departure. The report suggests this figure may relate to his annual wage or a negotiated settlement that both parties agreed upon, despite the official line of resignation.
Players’ Reactions and Marc Cucurella’s Blunt Comments
Not everyone at the club was happy with the decision to part ways with Maresca. Several players felt the move disrupted hard-earned stability, especially after the successes of the previous season.
Speaking recently, defender Marc Cucurella openly criticised the club’s choice, describing Maresca as one of the most important managers he has worked under at Chelsea. He said the Italian built strong relationships and gave players the confidence to fight for titles — to the point where “you’d die for him.”
“The moment Maresca left, it had a big impact on us. These are decisions taken by the club. If you asked me, I would not have made this decision,” Cucurella stated. He added that such a major change is better made at the end of a season to allow proper preparation and avoid unnecessary instability.
Cucurella’s comments reflect lingering frustration in the squad, even as Rosenior attempts to stamp his own authority on the team. While Maresca’s era ended on a sour note behind the scenes, his contribution — delivering silverware and a solid overall record of 55 wins in 92 games — remains part of Chelsea’s recent history.
The latest claims from Italian media have only added fuel to the fire at Stamford Bridge, raising fresh questions about exactly how Maresca’s departure was handled and what financial agreements were truly reached. As Chelsea continue their campaign under new management, the bombshell details surrounding the former boss’s exit refuse to fade away.