Former Enzo Maresca could have pocketed £14 million from Chelsea, but frustration with the club’s hierarchy ultimately cost him a huge compensation package.
According to journalist Martin Lipton, Maresca felt increasingly undermined by Chelsea’s board and internal decision-making, prompting him to agree to a mutual separation rather than force a formal dismissal.
Mutual exit, massive savings for Chelsea
While Chelsea officially described the split as a “mutual agreement,” the reality is that the arrangement allowed the London club to avoid paying the full compensation Maresca was entitled to under his contract.
Had Chelsea opted to sack him outright, Maresca would have been able to claim around £14 million. Instead, both parties chose to walk away, bringing an end to a relationship widely viewed as tense and dysfunctional.
A deal driven by frustration
Sources suggest Maresca’s decision was driven more by personal frustration than financial considerations. Feeling that his authority was being eroded behind the scenes, the Italian coach was reportedly just as eager to leave Stamford Bridge as Chelsea’s executives were to see him go.
For Chelsea, the outcome represented a significant financial saving, avoiding yet another costly managerial payoff amid ongoing instability.
The episode highlights once again how internal power struggles and boardroom tension continue to shape Chelsea’s turbulent recent history — sometimes at a very high price.
