Maresca left Chelsea after achieving bad results and violating the club’s legal counsel

January 1 – Chelsea have parted ways with manager Enzo Maresca ahead of Sunday’s match against Manchester City. Maresca leaves after 18 months at Stamford Bridge and after one win in seven Premier League games which left the club fifth in the table.

Maresca presented two trophies, including a Club World Cup win worth around £80 million. He is the fifth permanent head coach since Todd Boehly took over the club. His sacking is another indication of where the power really lies at the club, and it’s not just in the hands of the team manager.

Chelsea confirmed the split occurred after Maresca told the club he had held talks with Manchester City about the possibility of replacing Pep Guardiola, but the relationship had already fractured. His vague admission about his experiences in the “worst 48 hours” after the recent win over Everton raised eyebrows at the time.

There is discord within the football world with Maresca clashing with Chelsea’s medical and performance departments, pushing for more freedom over the use of players while the club maintains that strict rotation and return-to-play protocols will not be negotiated. The data-driven model won, while Maresca did not.

The Chelsea hierarchy were also unimpressed when their captain, Reece James, played the full three games in a week, and were also unimpressed when their head coach appeared to be tempting others with other jobs.

A club statement read: “Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have parted ways. During his time at the club, Enzo led the team to success in the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup… With key objectives still to be achieved in four competitions, including qualification for Champions League football, Enzo and the club believe that the changes will give the team the best chance of getting the season back on track.”

Former Hull City and Reading player Liam Rosenior, who now coaches at Chelsea’s sister club RC Strasbourg, is said to be the leading candidate to take over from Maresca.

Trophies usually buy time. At Chelsea, they barely have time to make a cup of tea.

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