Manchester City have announced Enzo Maresca as their new manager in a move that has been coming for a number of months after former manager Pep Guardiola announced he was leaving after over a decade.
The Italian departed Stamford Bridge in January after a breakdown in his relationship with club bosses and Chelsea have struggled ever since as they hired and fired Liam Rosenior.
Speaking on leaving West London, Maresca admitted he was sorry as he understands that he caused harm to Chelsea.
“The decision to leave was only mine. My resignation from Chelsea opened a path for me to join Manchester City, which is a club I knew very well. I am ecstatic that I have now joined Manchester City.
“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”.
Journalist Ben Jacobs revealed after the appointment that Chelsea “received £17m in compensation” for Maresca in what is a very hefty fee for a manager that has huge shoes to fill next season.
Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson is set to be Maresca's first signing over the coming weeks in a deal said to be worth around £116M as City splash the cash this summer.