Chelsea FC are reportedly weighing a formal complaint to the Premier League over the circumstances surrounding former head coach Enzo Maresca, amid claims that Manchester City FC made contact while he was still contracted at Stamford Bridge.
According to reports, Chelsea are demanding clarity and possible compensation if it is confirmed that Manchester City approached Maresca without proper protocol.
The situation could escalate to an official Premier League investigation if both clubs fail to reach an agreement.
Allegations have surfaced suggesting Maresca held discussions with City while still employed by Chelsea FC, a development that reportedly angered senior figures at the London club.
Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali addressed the broader managerial uncertainty while speaking at the CAA World Congress of Sports, hinting at internal disagreement over the change. He said the departure “wasn’t the club’s decision,” adding that more details would “become clear in due course.”
Eghbali also admitted the disruption had affected performances on the pitch, noting that constant changes in systems and personnel had created instability and that the club must now “fight our way out” of the situation.
Maresca’s exit was initially unexpected and came with limited explanation publicly, though reports suggest tensions had been building for months.
His relationship with Chelsea’s hierarchy is said to have deteriorated around December, with disagreements escalating into a breakdown in communication.
Further claims indicate friction following Maresca’s comments after Chelsea’s defeat to Atalanta BC in the UEFA Champions League, when he described the period as his “worst 48 hours” at the club, citing a perceived lack of support.
There were also suggestions of disagreement between Maresca and Chelsea’s medical department regarding player management, alongside growing unease over reported discussions with Juventus FC and Manchester City FC.
However, representatives of Maresca have maintained that Chelsea FC were informed about the talks with other clubs at the time, insisting there was no concealment of the situation.
