Enzo Maresca has left his function as Chelsea head coach after 18 months in cost.
Sky Sports activities Information reported on New 12 months’s Day that Maresca was getting ready to a Stamford Bridge exit after a breakdown in relations with the membership.
The Italian departs with the membership fifth within the Premier League desk – 15 factors adrift of leaders Arsenal – following one win from their final seven top-flight video games.
Chelsea stated in an announcement: “Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have parted company.
“Throughout his time on the membership, Enzo led the workforce to success within the UEFA Convention League and the FIFA Membership World Cup. These achievements will stay an necessary a part of the membership’s latest historical past, and we thank him for his contributions to the membership.
Everlasting Chelsea managers beneath Todd Boehly
“With key aims nonetheless to play for throughout 4 competitions together with qualification for Champions League soccer, Enzo and the membership consider a change offers the workforce the most effective probability of getting the season again on monitor.
“We wish Enzo well for the future.”
Maresca’s last match was Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw at residence to Bournemouth.
Amid stories of stress behind the scenes, he missed his post-match press convention following that recreation, albeit his absence was attributed to sickness.
Chelsea return to motion on Sunday away to Manchester Metropolis, the primary of 9 fixtures throughout 4 competitions throughout a packed January schedule.
‘Painted as mutual choice’
Newest from Sky Sports activities Information’ Kaveh Solhekol:
“It’s been painted as a mutual decision.
“It is very uncommon for managers or head coaches to resign as a result of usually they do not get a pay-off, however Maresca is somebody who may be very proud. I believe he feels that he couldn’t stick with it working at Chelsea.
Key figures at Chelsea beneath Todd Boehly
“At the same time, Chelsea felt that now was the right time for a change.”
Strained relations, poor outcomes and cryptic feedback
Maresca joined Chelsea in June 2024 and received the Membership World Cup and Convention League, in addition to attaining a fourth-placed Premier League end final season to safe Champions League qualification.
However relations have been strained between Maresca and key figures on the membership going again to this time final 12 months.
Lacking his post-match press convention after a chaotic 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday was one other signal of the issues behind the scenes, regardless that his absence was attributed to sickness.
The Italian stood by the feedback he made on December 13 when he claimed that many individuals on the membership weren’t supporting him or the workforce.
He described the times main as much as the 2-0 victory over Everton as “the worst 48 hours” of his time on the membership.
A couple of days after his feedback, stories emerged that Maresca may exchange Pep Guardiola at Manchester Metropolis – hyperlinks which Maresca described as “100 per cent speculation”.
Maresca’s inventory was excessive after Chelsea beat Barcelona 3-0 in November and sat three factors off the highest of the desk, however Chelsea have dropped off the Premier League tempo with only one win in seven league video games. Two extra dispiriting and lacklustre performances at Stamford Bridge in opposition to Aston Villa and Bournemouth over the vacation interval elevated the stress.
Maresca, who served as an assistant to Guardiola, was appointed Chelsea head coach in June 2024 on a five-year contract, changing Mauricio Pochettino. He had left the Etihad to affix Leicester in 2023, the place he received the Championship title.
Maresca’s exit means Chelsea are searching for a fourth everlasting managerial appointment since American investor Todd Boehly and personal fairness agency Clearlake Capital purchased the membership in Could 2022.
Maresca’s successor takes over a aspect which might be preventing on 4 fronts.
Chelsea sit fifth within the Premier League, are heading in the right direction for Champions League knockout qualification, have an FA Cup third-round tie at Charlton this month and face a two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final in opposition to Arsenal, stay on Sky Sports activities.
Chelsea’s January fixtures
- Sunday January 4: Man Metropolis (A) – Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm (stay on Sky Sports activities)
- Wednesday January 7: Fulham (A) – Premier League, kick-off 7.30pm (stay on Sky Sports activities)
- Saturday January 10: Charlton (A) – FA Cup, kick-off 8pm (stay on Sky Sports activities)
- Wednesday January 14: Arsenal (H) – Carabao Cup, kick-off 8pm (stay on Sky Sports activities)
- Saturday January 17: Brentford (H) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
- Wednesday January 21: Pafos (H) – Champions League, kick-off 8pm
- Sunday January 25: Crystal Palace (A) – Premier League, kick-off 2pm (stay on Sky Sports activities)
- Wednesday January 28: Napoli (A) – Champions League, kick-off 8pm
- Saturday January 31: West Ham (H) – Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm (stay on Sky Sports activities)
