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.