Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have mutually agreed to part ways, bringing an abrupt end to the Italian's 18-month tenure at Stamford Bridge. The departure comes with the club sitting fifth in the Premier League and in the midst of a disappointing run of form, despite Maresca having delivered two major trophies during his time in charge.
A Dream Start and Early Promise
Enzo Maresca's appointment on 3 June 2024 was met with optimism. He succeeded Mauricio Pochettino, signing a five-year contract with the option for an additional year. "To join Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, is a dream for any coach," he stated at the time.
The early signs were promising. Maresca secured his first Premier League victory in emphatic fashion on 25 August 2024, overseeing a 6-2 thrashing of Wolves at Molineux. Chelsea displayed encouraging form in the opening stages of the campaign, suggesting a bright future under the new manager.
Trophy Success Amidst Inconsistency
The first season proved to be a rollercoaster. A mid-season wobble was snapped with a win over Wolves in January 2025, but inconsistency plagued the team, leading to visible discontent among supporters. However, Maresca managed to steer the ship to a crucial fourth-place finish on the final day of the league season.
He then capped the campaign with silverware, masterminding a 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final on 28 May 2025. "Hopefully, it can be a starting point," Maresca reflected. "For sure, the trophy we won tonight will make us better."
The success continued into the following season when Chelsea, under Maresca's guidance, convincingly beat Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 to lift the Club World Cup in the United States on 13 July 2025.
Relationships Fracture and a Sudden Exit
Despite the cup triumphs, league form remained erratic. After a brief flirtation with the title race, familiar problems resurfaced. Following a 2-0 win against Everton in December 2025, Maresca made cryptic comments about experiencing his "hardest 48 hours" at the club, claiming "many people didn't support me and the team."
The situation deteriorated rapidly. A three-match winless streak culminated in a chaotic 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on 30 December 2025, which saw Chelsea slide to fifth. Maresca was booed by sections of the home support and was too unwell to attend the post-match press conference, sending assistant Willy Caballero in his place.
Just two days later, on 1 January 2026, the separation was confirmed. A club statement thanked Maresca for his achievements, noting the Conference League and Club World Cup wins "will remain an important part of the club's recent history." However, it concluded that both parties believed "a change gives the team the best chance of getting the season back on track."
Enzo Maresca's reign at Chelsea was a tale of contrasting fortunes: spectacular cup glory undermined by persistent Premier League inconsistency, ultimately leading to an early departure.
