ENZO MARESCA turned his back on a MULTI-MILLION-POUND payoff after walking out on Chelsea.
The Italian, 45, quit as Stamford Bridge boss on New Year’s Day following an irretrievable breakdown in his relationship with the club’s board.
But despite the bitter fracture which left him feeling he could not stay in SW6, SunSport understands he did not demand a potential compensation package of worth around £14MILLION.
Maresca signed a five-year deal — with a further 12-month option — worth around £4m per season when he arrived from Leicester, in 2024.
And as he left after just 18 months, it means the potential £14m was left outstanding.
His exit came less than five months after he had added the Fifa Club World Cup trophy to his Conference League success.
Maresca felt so angry about the way he was being undermined by the Stamford Bridge hierarchy that he opted to go without discussing terms.
Chelsea accused him of “emotional immaturity”.
Suggestions he attempted to use interest from Juventus and Manchester City to strong-arm the Blues into a new deal are vehemently denied by his camp.
Maresca is also angry at suggestions he was prepared to put the well-being of stars including Reece James and Cole Palmer at risk and play them against medical advice.
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He is equally angered by suggestions that he was prepared to put the well-being of players including Reece James and Cole Palmer at risk by playing them again at medical advice.
But it was his refusal to accept that, as manager, he should not be the one to make on-pitch decisions, that proved the final straw.
He accepts there were confrontations with club chiefs over who should start games and substitutions.
But it was his refusal to accept that, as manager, he should not be the one to make on-field decisions that proved the final straw.
Maresca believed the interference from above — with fingers pointed at the board and sporting directors — made his position untenable and was also disrespectful to the team and the fans.
That, following a ruck after Tuesday’s 2-2 home draw with Bournemouth, brought the final rupture.
