Enzo Maresca says he is at peace with his decision to leave Chelsea after the Italian spoke out for the first time since his shock departure. The Club World Cup and UEFA Conference League-winning tactician made the shock departure on New Year's Day, despite the Blues in the midst of the fight for Champions League qualification.
The Italian's departure followed a breakdown in the relationship within the club, after cracks emerged with the club's medical department. Maresca didn't complete media commitments in the aftermath of Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Bournemouth after his side were booed off, while there were chants towards the head coach after he withdrew Cole Palmer midway through the exchanges.
Maresca has spoken out for the first time as he expressed gratitude to the squad and supporters, admitting he is at peace with the decision to walk away from Stamford Bridge.
In a post on Instagram, he wrote: "LEAVE THIS WORLD A LITTLE BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT"
"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 from me and my family."
Calum McFarlane was in the dugout for Chelsea's showdown with Manchester City at the weekend, and the academy coach helped the Blues earn a crucial point in the fight for the top four.
Enzo Fernandez scored a stoppage-time equaliser to deny Pep Guardiola's side claiming three points.
On Tuesday, Rosenior was named as Maresca's successor after Chelsea snapped up the English coach from Ligue 1 side, and BlueCo-owned, Strasbourg.
The 41-year-old signed a six-year deal at Stamford Bridge and will be in the stands for Wednesday night's trip across the capital to rivals Fulham.
"I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed Head Coach of Chelsea Football Club. This is a club with a unique spirit and a proud history of winning trophies," the new head coach said.
"My job is to protect that identity and create a team that reflects these values in every game we play as we continue winning trophies. To be entrusted with this role means the world to me and I want to thank all involved for the opportunity and faith in undertaking this job. I will give everything to bring the success this club deserves.
"I believe deeply in teamwork, unity, togetherness and working for one another, and those values will be at the heart of everything we do. They will be the foundation of our success.
"I am excited to work with this extremely talented group of players and staff, to build strong connections on and off the pitch, and to create an environment where everyone feels united and driven by the same goal.
"There is a real hunger to win, and I will give everything, every single day, to help this team compete and win at the very highest level to make everyone connected and proud to be a part of Chelsea Football Club.
"I want our fans to be proud of who we are and what we represent in every single game that we play. They are the soul of this enormous, historic and huge football club. I cannot wait to meet you all. I cannot wait to get started."