Breaking: Enzo Maresca leaves Chelsea: what went wrong and what happens next

Enzo Maresca has left his position as Chelsea head coach with the club fifth in the Premier League, less than six months after lifting the Club World Cup at the end of his first season in charge, Sport360NG reports. 

The 45-year-old Italian departs Stamford Bridge with Chelsea still competing on four fronts, including the pursuit of Champions League qualification. In a statement, the club said both parties believed a change was necessary to revive the campaign.

“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,” Chelsea said.

Chelsea’s recent league form has been a factor, with just one win from their last seven matches. A return of six points from six games in December left the Blues 15 points adrift of leaders Arsenal. However, performances on the pitch were only part of the wider picture.

Maresca, who was under contract until 2029, had initially impressed the club’s hierarchy. He delivered a top-four Premier League finish last season and guided Chelsea to Conference League and Club World Cup success, earning the backing of sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, as well as co-owner Behdad Eghbali.

That relationship, though, deteriorated rapidly. Tensions surfaced publicly after Chelsea’s only league win in December, a 2-0 victory over Everton, when Maresca claimed the aftermath had been the “worst 48 hours” of his time at the club. The remarks, made without prior consultation, caught both staff and senior figures off guard and were viewed as a breach of trust.

Fractures had already begun to emerge. Maresca sought to expand his profile following Chelsea’s trophy wins, including plans to publish a book and a speaking appearance at Italy’s Festival dello Sport, organised by La Gazzetta dello Sport, neither of which had club approval.

He also openly expressed frustration at the decision not to sign a central defender after Levi Colwill suffered a pre-season anterior cruciate ligament injury. Chelsea’s leadership argued that such a move could have hindered the pathway of academy prospect Josh Acheampong, a stance that eventually saw Maresca relent.

The former Leicester City manager also changed representation, moving from Wasserman to agent Jorge Mendes, while speculation linked him with a future succession to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, suggestions Maresca publicly dismissed. His increasingly informal approach, including opting against wearing club-issued tracksuits, was also noted internally.

Following Chelsea’s final match under his stewardship, a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth on 30 December, Maresca did not conduct post-match media duties. Assistant Willy Caballero cited illness, though it is understood the coach was weighing his future. His absence from a club-produced end-of-year video posted on New Year’s Eve further underlined the growing distance.

Maresca believed the scrutiny he faced was disproportionate, citing challenging working conditions and what he felt were excessive attempts to influence team selection. While he accepted the task of overseeing a young squad, he felt expectations needed to be tempered, particularly in light of injuries to key players such as Colwill and Cole Palmer.

Chelsea had initially planned to review Maresca’s position at the end of the season should results improve, but his growing dissatisfaction accelerated the decision to part ways.

Full-back Marc Cucurella paid tribute on Instagram, writing: “Thank you for everything, mister, and to your staff. For the work and the trust from day one, and for the memories. Wishing you all the best in what comes next. Good luck, boss!”

Uncertainty Over Chelsea’s Next Move

Chelsea face Manchester City on Sunday without a confirmed manager in place, and it remains unclear who will oversee training in the interim. Caballero, who followed Maresca from Leicester and previously deputised during touchline bans, is among the internal options.

In the longer term, Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior, whose club sits within the same multi-club ownership model as Chelsea, is expected to be considered. The Blues also admire Marseille’s Roberto De Zerbi, who met Eghbali during the summer, while Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna and Tottenham’s Thomas Frank were interviewed prior to Maresca’s appointment.

Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola are also likely to feature in discussions as Chelsea weigh up their next permanent head coach.