Chelsea Football Club have confirmed the departure of head coach Enzo Maresca, ending his 18-month tenure at Stamford Bridge. The announcement was made on New Year's Day, Thursday 1 January 2026.
Breakdown in Relations and Poor Form
The Italian's exit follows a reported breakdown in his relationship with the club's hierarchy and a significant dip in results on the pitch. Sky Sports reported that tensions had been growing, culminating in Maresca's departure.
His final match in charge was a 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth on Tuesday. The team's form has been a major concern, with just one victory in their last seven Premier League fixtures. Despite this, Chelsea remain fifth in the table, albeit a substantial 15 points behind league leaders Arsenal.
A Short Tenure with Silverware
Maresca, 45, was appointed in June 2024 as the successor to Mauricio Pochettino. His contract was originally set to run until 2029, with the club holding an option for a further year.
His time at the club was not without success. In his first season, he guided Chelsea to a fourth-place finish, securing Champions League qualification. He also led the team to victory in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
In an official statement, Chelsea acknowledged these achievements: "Those achievements will remain an important part of the club's recent history, and we thank him for his contributions." The club added that both parties believed a change was needed to get the season back on track with key objectives still to play for.
The 'Worst 48 Hours' and Succession Speculation
Speculation about Maresca's future intensified last month after he made cryptic comments following a win over Everton. He claimed to have endured his "worst 48 hours" at the club because "many people didn't support me and the team". He subsequently refused to elaborate on the remarks, fuelling rumours of a rift.
Attention now turns to his potential successor. Bookmakers have installed Liam Rosenior, the head coach of Chelsea-owned Strasbourg, as an early favourite. Other names linked with the vacancy include former Barcelona boss Xavi, Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner, Fulham manager Marco Silva, and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola.
Chelsea face an immediate challenge, with their first match post-Maresca being a trip to face Manchester City on Sunday. This kicks off a packed January schedule featuring nine games across four competitions.
