Enzo Maresca has finally addressed his departure from Chelsea, breaking a five-day silence following his New Year's Day exit from Stamford Bridge.
The 45-year-old Italian posted a heartfelt message on Instagram this Tuesday afternoon, declaring that he departs with a clear conscience.
"I leave with the inner peace of leaving a prestigious club like Chelsea where it deserves to be," Maresca wrote.
His statement opened with a quote attributed to Scout movement founder Robert Baden-Powell: "LEAVE THIS WORLD A LITTLE BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT."
Enzo Maresca was sacked by Chelsea on New Year's Day
|REUTERS
The former head coach expressed gratitude to both supporters and his squad, thanking "all the Chelsea fans for their support over the last 18 months" and offering "a special thank you to all the players who have accompanied me on this wonderful journey."
Maresca's tenure at Stamford Bridge yielded two pieces of silverware during his sole complete campaign in charge.
The Blues claimed both the Conference League and Club World Cup during the summer, marking the first trophies secured under the BlueCo ownership.
His side also secured Champions League qualification through a fifth-place finish last season.
However, the Italian's final weeks proved considerably more turbulent. Chelsea managed just two victories in their last nine matches before his departure, with a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth proving his final fixture.
The club had won merely one of their previous seven Premier League encounters when Maresca left.
The club's hierarchy subsequently made public their dissatisfaction with Maresca's conduct during his final days. Chelsea briefed that his behaviour had been "unprofessional and disrespectful" across several incidents.
Officials took particular exception to his decision to miss a post-match press conference, citing illness.
The club believed he was not genuinely unwell and considered the move unfair on assistant Willy Caballero, who was forced to deputise.
Further grievances included allegations that Maresca disregarded medical guidance regarding injured players' return timescales.
Reports linking him with a potential move back to Manchester City, where he previously served under Pep Guardiola, also irked the ownership group.
Chelsea have confirmed that Liam Rosenior will be their next manager, with the 41-year-old set to replace Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge | GETTYChelsea confirmed Liam Rosenior as Maresca's successor just hours before the Italian released his statement. The former Strasbourg and Hull City manager has been handed a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
The timing meant Maresca's farewell arrived after his replacement had already been unveiled to supporters.
Notably absent from the departing manager's message was any acknowledgement of the club's public criticisms. He made no reference to accusations that he lacked "mental fortitude and emotional maturity" or the specific incidents that allegedly soured relations with the hierarchy.
Instead, Maresca chose to focus solely on achievements and well-wishes, signing off: "Thank you, CHELSEA from me and my family."