By OLLIE LEWIS, DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR
Published: 08:49 EST, 6 January 2026 | Updated: 08:56 EST, 6 January 2026
Enzo Maresca has shared his first message since his acrimonious exit from Chelsea on New Year's Day.
The Italian, 45, left the club following an explosive row with the west London club's owners, with a power struggle at the heart of his departure.
Chelsea later briefed that a number of episodes left them unimpressed and questioned Maresca's professionalism in a public slinging match.
But Maresca, at least publicly, appears to hold no ill will with a heartfelt message posted on Instagram on Tuesday.
'“LEAVE THIS WORLD A LITTLE BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT”,' his Instagram post started.
'My journey with Chelsea began with the preliminary rounds of the Conference League.
'I leave with the inner peace of leaving a prestigious club like Chelsea where it deserves to be.
'I want to thank all the Chelsea fans for their support over the last 18 months.
'Support that was crucial to achieving Champions League qualification, winning the Conference League, and winning the Club World Cup.
'Victories that I will always hold in my heart!
'A special thank you to all the players who have accompanied me on this wonderful journey.
'I wish everyone who has shared every moment with me every success in this second half of the season and in the future.
'Thank you, CHELSEA ð from me and my family.'