Enzo Maresca is expected to part ways with Chelsea on New Year’s Day following a complete breakdown in their relationship behind the scenes and some inflammatory comments
Enzo Maresca is reportedly on the verge of resigning as Chelsea manager after a complete breakdown in his relationship behind the scenes. Maresca has grown frustrated in recent weeks, with just one win in his last seven Premier League games likely to be the trigger for his departure.
Chelsea drew 2-2 with Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night and left the pitch to boos from the home fans. Maresca then skipped the post-match press conference, relying instead on his assistant Willy Caballero to speak to the media.
The Italian player was said to have fallen ill, but talkSPORT reported that Maresca instead revealed his unhappiness. He has clashed with Chelsea bosses and does not feel supported, and an emergency meeting with sporting directors Lawrence Stewart and Paul Winstanley and co-owner Behdad Egbali will be held on New Year’s Day.
The Guardian reports that Maresca is expected to part ways on Thursday and will not be in charge for Sunday’s away game against Manchester City. It remains to be seen whether the 45-year-old will retire without pay, given that he is under contract until 2029 but has the option for a further year.
read more: Chelsea icon Dan Petrescu releases heartbreaking statement after friend diagnosed with cancerread more: Chelsea give Enzo Maresca hints about his future as pressure mounts to sack him
Signs of the fracture emerged earlier this month, when Maresca said in a speech after the 2-0 win at Everton: “The last 48 hours have been the worst 48 hours since I joined the club because not many people supported us.”
Asked to clarify his comments, he simply reiterated: “It’s been the worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn’t support me and the team.”
His overt hints of unhappiness with his employer caused friction behind the scenes at Chelsea, which was exacerbated by poor performance. Chelsea are in fifth place in the Premier League, two points behind fourth-placed Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
The Guardian reports that Chelsea are embarrassed by the pace of the situation but have contingency plans in place. French side Strasbourg are also part of the same ownership group and manager Liam Rosenior has impressed with his work there.
Maresca has been manager of Stamford Bridge since June 2024 and enjoyed a successful 2024/25 season, winning the Conference League and Club World Cup. Chelsea finished the league in 4th place and returned to the Champions League, and are currently in 13th place with three wins from six games, but problems are surfacing beneath the surface.
Part of the tension is understood to stem from Maresca’s desire to have a greater say in off-the-pitch decisions, including transfers. However, Chelsea have no intention of making any changes to appease their manager, and the problem appears to be irreversible.
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