- Chelsea sack Enzo Maresca after 18 months as head coach
- Club sits fifth in the Premier League, far off the title race
- Poor run of form triggered growing tension with club hierarchy
- New manager expected before busy January fixtures
Chelsea have officially ended their relationship with Enzo Maresca, confirming the Italian coach’s exit just 18 months after his appointment, following a disappointing run of results in the Premier League that left the club struggling to keep pace with title contenders.
In a statement released on Thursday, Chelsea Football Club announced that both parties had agreed to go their separate ways, describing the decision as necessary to refocus the team’s ambitions for the remainder of the season.
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“Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have parted company,” the club said.
Maresca leaves Stamford Bridge with Chelsea sitting fifth on the league table, 15 points behind leaders Arsenal, having managed just one win in their last seven Premier League matches. Pressure had mounted in recent weeks as performances dipped and speculation grew about internal disagreements between the coach and the club’s leadership.
The club noted that with crucial targets still within reach, including Champions League qualification across four competitions; a managerial change was viewed as the best way to steady the season.
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Maresca’s absence from Tuesday’s post-match press conference following a 2–2 home draw with Bournemouth further fueled rumours. During the match, his decision to substitute fan favourite Cole Palmer was met with loud boos from sections of the home crowd.
Chelsea’s struggles at home have been particularly costly, with the team dropping 13 points from winning positions, accounting for most of the gap separating them from the league leaders.
Despite the difficult end, Maresca enjoyed notable highs during his spell. He led Chelsea to Europa Conference League and Club World Cup victories in 2025, and secured a fourth-place league finish that returned the club to the Champions League.
Appointed in June 2024 to replace Mauricio Pochettino, Maresca had a contract running until 2029. However, defeats to Leeds, Atalanta, and Aston Villa sharply shifted momentum against him.
Chelsea are now weighing replacement options ahead of a demanding January schedule, starting with an away clash against Manchester City. Candidates reportedly include Liam Rosenior, Xavi, Marco Silva, Oliver Glasner, and Andoni Iraola.
