Back in the Premier League’s earlier days, fans loved debating “Pep vs. Mourinho.” Today, Pep Guardiola remains Manchester City’s manager, while José Mourinho has been dismissed by multiple clubs across different leagues—collecting so many severance payouts that he is widely regarded as one of football’s most compensated managers in termination fees. Guardiola, by contrast, has never been sacked in his managerial career to date.
Interestingly, Enzo Maresca—often described as a coach shaped by Guardiola’s methods—has also stood out as something of a rarity in modern management culture.
Since the Clearlake Capital-led takeover at Stamford Bridge and the start of the post-Abramovich era, Chelsea have dismissed four head coaches in just four years: Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, and Maresca. Across those decisions, the club reportedly paid a total of £39 million in compensation—yet Maresca is said to have waived a figure as high as £14 million by choosing to step away.
Under the Todd Boehly era, Chelsea’s reported managerial compensation figures are as follows:
Tuchel: Dismissed in 2022 — £13 million payout.
Potter: Dismissed in 2023 — £13 million payout.
Pochettino: Dismissed in 2024 — £13 million payout.
In the post-Abramovich period, Chelsea have continued their familiar pattern of changing managers at a relentless pace—effectively one head coach per year. But unlike the typical narrative of a manager waiting out a contract for a payday, Maresca’s decision to walk away—despite reportedly winning a UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup double—signals a very different approach.
A coach willing to leave without “cashing in,” refusing to coast for compensation, and prioritizing professionalism is rarely short of options. In a market that values credibility and character as much as tactics, Maresca shouldn’t be lacking for opportunities.
