Enzo Maresca has left Chelsea after less than two years in charge at Stamford Bridge with his final comments as manager resurfacing in the aftermath of that news.
Enzo Maresca, the now-former Chelsea head coach, remained tight-lipped during his final remarks before leaving Stamford Bridge. The club announced the Italian's exit on New Year's Day, expressing gratitude to the 45-year-old for his contributions.
Maresca left the Blues less than two years into his tenure, despite his initial contract with Chelsea set to run until the summer of 2029. He led the team to glory in the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup during his stint at the club.
However, recent weeks saw a deterioration in his relationship with the Chelsea hierarchy, rendering his position untenable. With just one win from their last seven Premier League matches, too, Chelsea have fallen significantly behind Arsenal in the title race.
Following a 2-2 draw wjth Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge, they now sit a mere five points above 14th-placed Brighton. Maresca did not attend his usual post-match press conference due to illness, meaning his final words to journalists and Chelsea supporters were given before his departure.
When asked why his team were struggling to dominate home games - despite still being in contention for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification - Maresca remained tight-lipped.
Following their defeat to Aston Villa, with part of the press conference reserved for the upcoming Bournemouth match, Maresca said: "Again, I don't know. It's just a matter to understand the reason why, because I don't think it's random, when something continues to happen, it's not random.
"So we need to understand why, no matter if we are winning, drawing or losing, we concede a goal, we lose a little bit of control. So we need to understand the reason why."
"In this moment, it is the target," Maresca said about Chelsea's ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League once again. "I think tonight's game [Saturday night] does not reflect the 10 points difference between us and Villa, to be honest.
"So we need to be confident and we need to think that hopefully we can go close once again to the ones that are ahead of us." However, Maresca won't have that chance to work out why his squad were struggling at home, as his exit from Chelsea was confirmed on New Year's Day.
The west London giants released a statement 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 also 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."
At the core of Maresca's recent remarks about his "worst 48 hours" is said to be a fallout with Chelsea's medical staff. Maresca reportedly sometimes fielded players against advice from the Blues medical team, causing friction within the club.
Moreover, there were discussions between Maresca's agents and Manchester City, fuelling rumours that Pep Guardiola might leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season. Maresca dutifully informed Chelsea of this contact, as required by his contract, but Chelsea's hierarchy viewed that as an unnecessary distraction during a pivotal campaign at Stamford Bridge.
In the midst of all that uncertainty surrounding his future, Maresca's relationship with the media seemed to deteriorate. Chelsea will return to action on Sunday when they face Man City at the Etihad Stadium.