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By John Ogunsemore
Italian tactician, Enzo Maresca has departed as Chelsea manager after 18 months in charge, following a dramatic breakdown in relations with the club’s ownership and board.
The 45-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Leicester City in the summer of 2024, leaves Stamford Bridge with the team sitting fifth in the Premier League table amid a poor run of form that has seen them win just one of their last seven matches in the competition.
Chelsea confirmed the departure in a statement on Thursday, saying: “Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have parted company. During his time at the club, Enzo led the team to success in the Uefa Conference League and the Fifa Club World Cup. Those achievements will remain an important part of the club’s recent history, and we thank him for his contributions to the club. With key objectives still to play for across four competitions including qualification for Champions League football, Enzo and the club believe a change gives the team the best chance of getting the season back on track. We wish Enzo well for the future.”
The split comes after mounting tensions behind the scenes, including disputes over player management and medical protocols.
Sources indicate Maresca clashed with the hierarchy over his refusal to adhere to rotation advice for injury-prone stars such as Reece James, Pedro Neto, Wesley Fofana, and Cole Palmer, occasionally overriding data-driven recommendations.
His push for greater autonomy in these areas was rebuffed, exacerbating frustrations.
Additionally, Maresca had informed Chelsea executives on multiple occasions—twice in late October and again in mid-December—that he was in discussions with associates at Manchester City regarding a potential return to the Etihad, where he previously served as an assistant to Pep Guardiola in the 2022-23 season.
Maresca’s tenure began promisingly, with early silverware in the form of the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup triumphs.
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However, recent results have been dismal, with Chelsea dropping 15 points from winning positions this season, including 13 at home.
Cryptic post-match comments, such as describing the period after a victory over Everton on December 13, 2025, as his “worst 48 hours,” fueled speculation about his dissatisfaction with the club’s support and recruitment structure.
Fan discontent peaked with boos following a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth on December 30, after which Maresca skipped press duties citing illness, leaving assistant Willy Caballero to address the media.
The Italian bid farewell to players and staff earlier today, with the club now seeking a swift replacement ahead of Sunday’s crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City.
Names linked to the vacancy include Liam Rosenior, currently at Chelsea’s partner club Strasbourg; Francesco Farioli of Porto; and Eric Ramsay from Minnesota United.
An interim appointment may be made for the upcoming fixture if a permanent successor is not secured in time.
Maresca’s exit marks the latest managerial change under the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership, which has seen a high turnover since their 2022 takeover.
The Blues remain in contention in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and Champions League, but the board views a fresh voice as essential to salvaging their top-four ambitions.
