OFFICIAL: Enzo Maresca is SACKED by Chelsea after New Year's crunch talks just days before mammoth clash with Man City.
The decision comes after emergency talks on New Year's Day following a breakdown in relations between Maresca and the Blues hierarchy.
The Italian was booed by his own fans for substituting Cole Palmer after 63 minutes during Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday, while some also sang: ‘You don’t know what you’re doing.’
He will no longer be in charge for Chelsea's trip to Manchester City on Sunday.
The 45-year-old has been linked with a move to City should Pep Guardiola leave this summer, and that news came after he blindsided his bosses with his ‘worst 48 hours’ outburst previously, plus his refusal to explain the meaning behind them.
The crunch clash at the Etihad is the beginning of a hectic January for the west London side, with nine matches pencilled in, as the hunt for a new head coach begins.
Maresca was hired by Chelsea in the summer of 2024 after a stellar solitary season at Leicester City, in which he secured the Foxes' promotion back to the Premier League by winning the Championship.
His first campaign in the Stamford Bridge dugout saw him bring the Blues back to the Champions League, after a two-season absence, via a fourth-placed finish, while he secured silverware by winning the UEFA Conference League.
But after a bright start to Maresca's second season at the helm, Chelsea's form has significantly dipped.
The draw to Bournemouth earlier this week meant that Chelsea have dropped 15 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season – the most of any side.
Their struggling run has seen them go from being in the title conversation to now sitting fifth, and closer to Nottingham Forest in 17th than Arsenal in first.
Chelsea backed Maresca last winter when his side suffered a similar frustrating dip in form, but his cryptic comments in press conferences have added to the confusion behind the scenes this time around.
It is felt that the team should be doing better than what they have been, with it believed they have enough talent in their squad to secure their target of a top-four finish.
The breakdown of Maresca's relationship with the Chelsea hierarchy became public when Maresca hit out at his lack of support after beating Everton last month.
The Blues won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge - their only three points in the league in December - with Malo Gusto assisting Cole Palmer for the opener before scoring himself.
It was when asked his opinion on Gusto’s performance that Maresca had his unexpected pop at ‘people’, though when pressed, he declined to explain to whom he was referring. It is not known whether he meant inside or outside of Chelsea, but he made a point of praising the fanbase.
‘The last 48 hours have been the worst 48 hours since I joined the club because many people didn't support us,’ said Maresca, whose side finally won after failing to beat Leeds, Bournemouth, and Atalanta in their last three games.
‘So I'm very happy for Malo, that the effort from Malo and from the rest show that they are all there and they want to help this club.’
Asked to clarify his statement, Maresca repeated: ‘Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn't support me and the team.’ He added: ‘I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans.’
BlueCo, led by American businessman Todd Boehly, will now press on with their search for Maresca's replacement.
CHEALSEA OFFICIAL STATEMENT
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.