Chelsea Football Club have parted ways with head coach Enzo Maresca, bringing an abrupt end to his Stamford Bridge reign on Thursday following a sharp downturn in results that derailed the club’s Premier League title push.
The 45-year-old Italian, who arrived in 2024 after masterminding Leicester City’s promotion to the Premier League, exits exactly 18 months to the day since being appointed to restore Chelsea’s competitive edge, following two seasons without Champions League football.
Maresca enjoyed a dream start to life in West London.
In his first campaign, he delivered a fourth-place league finish to secure Champions League qualification, while also lifting the UEFA Conference League trophy and capping the season with global silverware — the FIFA Club World Cup title. Earlier in the season, his vibrant, youth-driven squad also produced one of the club’s standout European nights, thrashing Barcelona 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League, a result that underlined their title credentials.
By November, Chelsea had climbed to third in the Premier League table, with optimism soaring.
Maresca was named Premier League Manager of the Month for November, praised for orchestrating a high-pressing, possession-heavy system that brought fluency to an expensively assembled but youthful squad.
December Downfall
However, the wheels came off in December.
Chelsea managed just one win in their last seven league matches, a run compounded by what the club described as an “uncharacteristic outburst” from Maresca behind the scenes.
The slump saw Chelsea tumble to fifth in the Premier League, a worrying 15 points behind leaders Arsenal at the halfway mark of the campaign.
Maresca had also publicly expressed irritation about internal dynamics at the club, describing a period following a 2-0 victory over Everton as “the worst 48 hours” of his tenure — a cryptic comment that hinted at deeper unrest.
Despite refusing to elaborate, the remark appeared to fracture confidence between the coach and the club’s hierarchy.
Further distractions emerged when Maresca dismissed speculation linking him to Manchester City, stressing his commitment to Chelsea, where he remained contracted until 2029.
Final Straw vs Bournemouth
While Chelsea progressed to the League Cup semi-finals after a win over Cardiff City, league struggles continued.
Tuesday’s 2-2 home draw against Bournemouth proved decisive.
Maresca’s decision to withdraw playmaker Cole Palmer sparked fury from the home crowd, who chanted “You don’t know what you’re doing” during the substitution and booed loudly at full time.
The backlash marked the nadir of his Chelsea spell and his final match in charge.Club Statement.
In an official release, Chelsea confirmed the departure:
“Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have parted company.
“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.”
What Next?
The club have yet to name a successor or interim manager ahead of Sunday’s high-stakes clash against second-placed Manchester City, with uncertainty now hanging over the technical area.
Chelsea did not specify who will lead the team for the fixture.
Niaaikoruy
1
let him go
ACE07
1
most stupid sacking of all time
caciosuy
0
Don't be happy for some one down fall,we are far outside, it's him that wear the shoes that know were it's painig him...
its an improvement
caciosuy
2
this is great news , volume must be put
vancioptz
1
King2gd
2
The truth is obvious. Todd Boehly is never a lover of football, he is just a businessman. He sacked a coach that made crowed Chelsea world champions with inexperienced players. You refused to equip him with experienced players… Slowly Chelsea is switching to Arsenal because Todd and co are here for business. Peace and love ✌️
Immaculate003
2
So funny Chelsea never left the philosophy of quick-sacking of coaches/managers. Tuchel and Pochettino were sacked because they questioned the club direction and decisions of the board in terms of players transfer. The same thing Maresca has faced. In the last summer, the manager wanted a central defender to replace Colwill, and a proven striker to replace or as an upgrade over Jackson, but what did the board do? Glasner questioned his principals in the summer as regards the sales of Eze and more in particular Guehi, Thomas Frank had a very bad spell in Nov/Dec, Amorim has hardly won a game back to back, Howe at Newcastle have not had it rosy, Slot was struggling to improve Liverpool despite the huge summer investment, yet they have all kept their jobs in order not to lose the balance of the team mid season. However Maresca, the manager of the month of November, was quickly fired. Now Chelsea is hunting for another not-so-much experienced coach in Rosenoir. It is well!
Sowbceknpz
2
Yeybcenoru
1
I think you are missing the point, people want the coach to have a consistent starting 11 but Chelsea has too many first team players. The coach cannot accommodate everyone. At the same time players brought in for large amounts cannot be kept on the bench. Chelsea directors want certain players to play regardless of form, in the end the coach felt he had No control of the team yet he had to take all the blame.
Yeybcenoru
0
Is that statement that there are issues not enough to let the Coach go. He had issues with the medical team and they alone is not good for the club, then it's bad that the Coach doesn't have big ambition....look at Arteta, he took over Arsenal with ambition to compete and win the League and he kept fighting for that but Maresca always sound like mediocre and he has no starting 11 for 18months....that's bad
I think you are missing the point, people want the coach to have a consistent starting 11 but Chelsea has too many first team players. The coach cannot accommodate everyone. At the same time players brought in for large amounts cannot be kept on the bench. Chelsea directors want certain players to play regardless of form and the coach felt he had little control of the team but took all the blame.
cimbdlmrz
4
it was a complete nonsense for giving out the team second consistent top scorer Jackson, for Joao Pedro and flat footed delap
Nonbceiopz
2
I knew Maresca would be sacked before January. He was keeping players who can't play 4 or 5 games straight for Chelsea without getting injured. sell these players and make room for others. He also relied on Enzo alone as the number 8. How a whole Chelsea team has one number 8
viwbelptuy
2
They over celebrated the CL win over 10 men, lethargic Barcelona team and thought they've arrived. And while the team's performance nosedived after that win, their opponents Barcelona went on trajectory that witnessed a rare rejuvenation that saw them go top of La Liga.
nukcinrty
2
my opinion about this is that I don't like the way maresca always rotating the squad and he always doubt himself and his mind has left the club since he was aware that man city was interested in him
Vieaeklmtz
0
Well done Chelsea but My Liverpool is still relying on Poor Slot who doesn't know the Liverpool's identity and has introduced slow passing football with no serious players to score
Piwbdkopru
3
I just don't understand why the coach keep rotating players in every game,a good coach should at least have a standard starting eleven.enzo fernades is tired ,a good coach that need attacking and treat shouldn't bench estavao and keep using Gernacho that can't take a player one on one.chelsea have a lots of talent but making use of it is what they lack.
Bidklnory
2
second chance for Sterling
wowadrsyz
3
Chelsea problems is not the coach but in wrong transfers ,what the club needs is an identity u cant win the league with delap who hasn't scored a goal for months and is never fit and Joao pedro who is good but clearly not a natural striker. solution is get a Osihmen type of striker or a kane to give you goals
Jabeiknryz
3
my honest opinion is that we can't fully blame Maresca but failed miserablyWhere Chelsea failed 1. We needed Chilwel and Sterling into the squad 2. Selling Gallagher was a mistake 3. Selling KDH and loaning Bounanotte Maresca mistakes 1. We conceded in every set piece 2. Benching Chelsea stars only to introduce them to fight for a draw 3. Over trusting Enzo who is overhiped
Geebabs
4
the main downfall of Enzo Maresca is failing to have a standing first eleven as an experienced manager,you should know you can't keep everyone happy
Naokmptuz
0
All i know that is Marasca cv is very good and he can work with any football club in the world
But if he fails to change his mentality, he will keep having issues in those clubs, then fail over and over again in being a long term coach and get sacked. He is too rigid a Coach
Naokmptuz
0
Some players revolted against their coach - Cole Palmer was a key note. Club owners intended keeping the fans on track
Do you prefer to keep your fans and players or keep a Coach and scatter/shatter your fanbase/players?
Naokmptuz
0
The problem most clubs have is when they beat a poor Barca team, they think they have reached the top and relax and think they will win it all. Let Barca just beat you then you have sth to learn.
Barca fans and shallow thinking. Chelsea have beat Barca to win UCL
Naokmptuz
0
I didnt see the reason why the Coach was fired. Was he fired coz of the poor results in December? The Coach already said there were issues before the 2 nil win against Everton. What were the issues? Chelsea will get a new Coach but the problems will remain.
Is that statement that there are issues not enough to let the Coach go. He had issues with the medical team and they alone is not good for the club, then it's bad that the Coach doesn't have big ambition....look at Arteta, he took over Arsenal with ambition to compete and win the League and he kept fighting for that but Maresca always sound like mediocre and he has no starting 11 for 18months....that's bad
Naokmptuz
0
u will regret it later
this is not a statement to be directed at Chelsea club Man U fans stay guided
Naokmptuz
0
Don't be happy for some one down fall,we are far outside, it's him that wear the shoes that know were it's painig him...
When Chelsea FC sack a Coach, it's never a downfall, it's more money to the Coach's account.....so relax bro
Vahaiorsz
2
Don't be happy for some one down fall,we are far outside, it's him that wear the shoes that know were it's painig him...
VIKINGSB
0
The problem most clubs have is when they beat a poor Barca team, they think they have reached the top and relax and think they will win it all. Let Barca just beat you then you have sth to learn.
Sour losers
douikprsy
0
good morning to we All Chelsea fans it is God to me to sacked Enzo how you field to find first eleven up to now just rotating information every game he is the one bring back to top fifth place let him go we shall fight back club is not he's club is mature coach like him how can u beach players in very important game likes that which coach are
u will regret it later
ShehuTutu
2
Called it whatever Enzo has gone.
adedefender
1
Some players revolted against their coach - Cole Palmer was a key note. Club owners intended keeping the fans on track
luncdeimop
0
Tottenham tolerate 10 games winless run with 3 draws.
cebiknory
0
the man is also a gambler
u are right
Kiebinrty
3
good morning to we All Chelsea fans it is God to me to sacked Enzo how you field to find first eleven up to now just rotating information every game he is the one bring back to top fifth place let him go we shall fight back club is not he's club is mature coach like him how can u beach players in very important game likes that which coach are
Mopelotuyz
2
we need a serious couch guys please please find Us one
Yeybcenoru
2
I didnt see the reason why the Coach was fired. Was he fired coz of the poor results in December? The Coach already said there were issues before the 2 nil win against Everton. What were the issues? Chelsea will get a new Coach but the problems will remain.
Fauabcdemy
1
Liverpool what are you doing with the average coach slot 😔sack him fast
Fahekmopz
1
sacking d coach now for me is a big mistake.
JorgeLanga
0
sacking maresca is the biggest mistake we have made now
That's what Chelsea management has been doing lastly
jowacelru
0
we have nothing with Enzo
Anuolu190
0
The problem most clubs have is when they beat a poor Barca team, they think they have reached the top and relax and think they will win it all. Let Barca just beat you then you have sth to learn.
😹😹💔 if we say youre poor, na you go Dey argue with us, una no get sense at all, hypocrite at highest levels
Zinaikmpru
1
The problem most clubs have is when they beat a poor Barca team, they think they have reached the top and relax and think they will win it all. Let Barca just beat you then you have sth to learn.
salty barca fan
Sovoty
1
The problem most clubs have is when they beat a poor Barca team, they think they have reached the top and relax and think they will win it all. Let Barca just beat you then you have sth to learn.
pamacdnosu
1
sacking maresca is the biggest mistake we have made now
Wubbdeklor
2
welcome back in the squad Sterling
ariwanze
1
Barca is a voodoo club. Apart from Chelsea, since Real Madrid beat them too their life like Chelsea has never been the same too🙄.
walex2
4
All i know that is Marasca cv is very good and he can work with any football club in the world
Arjenrobben11
4
Chelsea owners are more pathetic than United
Tutbceopsz
0
we wish him all the very best
AFeroiRt3214
2
Is the Barcelona curse real? Explanation 🗣️ The Barcelona curse started in the 2025-2026 season, where if you lose to Barcelona, you will perform badly for a while. This has also happened to Real Madrid and PSG.