BREAKING: Chelsea sack Enzo Maresca after breakdown in relations

Chelsea have dismissed head coach Enzo Maresca following a complete breakdown in relations with the club hierarchy, bringing an abrupt end to his tenure just months after delivering two major trophies.

The Italian departs just three days before Chelsea’s trip to Manchester City, underlining the scale of the internal crisis that has unfolded at Stamford Bridge in recent weeks.

Internal tensions reach breaking point

Maresca had been on a collision course with senior figures at the club after a series of strained interactions behind the scenes.

Matters escalated following his cryptic comments after a Premier League win over Everton on December 13, when he spoke of experiencing the “worst 48 hours” of his time at Chelsea.

His refusal to clarify the remarks, either internally or publicly, further eroded trust.

Despite attempts to steady the situation, relations deteriorated rapidly, with Chelsea’s hierarchy concluding that the working relationship had become untenable.

Results fail to offset off-field issues

Maresca’s dismissal comes despite tangible success on the pitch earlier in the season.

The former Leicester City boss led Chelsea to victory in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup in his first campaign, achievements that briefly strengthened his position.

However, a poor run of league results, coupled with growing internal discord, outweighed those successes. The club determined that ongoing instability threatened key objectives, including qualification for the Champions League.

Club statement and next steps

In a brief statement, Chelsea confirmed the decision to part ways, thanking Maresca for his contributions and acknowledging the trophies won under his leadership.

The club stressed that, with crucial competitions still in play, a managerial change was viewed as the best option to get the season back on track.

Maresca exits with immediate effect, leaving Chelsea once again facing uncertainty on the touchline as they search for stability and direction.