Behind the Exit: Why Chelsea Ended Enzo Maresca’s Reign at Stamford Bridge

Behind the Exit: Why Chelsea Ended Enzo Maresca’s Reign at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea FC have parted ways with manager Enzo Maresca, with the club sitting fifth in the Premier League, following months of internal tension and declining results.

The 45-year-old Italian coach leaves Stamford Bridge less than six months after leading the Blues to Club World Cup glory, adding to last season’s UEFA Conference League triumph and a top-four Premier League finish.

In a statement announcing the decision, Chelsea said: “With key objectives still to play for across four competitions, including qualification for Champions League football, Enzo and the club believe a change gives the team the best chance of getting the season back on track.”

While Chelsea’s recent poor league form played a role — just one win in seven Premier League matches and six points from six games in December, leaving them 15 points behind leaders Arsenal — sources indicate that off-field issues and a strained relationship with the club’s hierarchy were decisive factors.

Despite early success, Maresca’s relationship with key decision-makers, including sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, as well as co-owner Behdad Eghbali, deteriorated significantly.

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Tensions surfaced publicly after Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Everton, their only league victory in December, when Maresca said he had endured his “worst 48 hours” at the club — comments that reportedly caught both staff and senior executives off guard.

Disagreements had been building for months. Maresca was prevented from publishing a book and criticised internally for speaking at Il Festival dello Sport in Italy without club approval. He also openly disagreed with the club’s decision not to sign a central defender following Levi Colwill’s ACL injury, a stance he later softened after concerns were raised over the future of academy defender Josh Acheampong.

Further strain came after Maresca switched agents to Jorge Mendes, amid speculation linking him with a future move to Manchester City as a possible successor to Pep Guardiola, claims he denied. His increasingly visible detachment — including avoiding club-branded tracksuits — further fuelled perceptions of discontent.

After Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on December 30, Maresca missed post-match media duties, officially due to illness, though it is understood he was deeply disillusioned. Notably, he was absent from a New Year’s Eve Chelsea recap video posted by the club.

Maresca believed the pressure on him was unfair, citing difficult working conditions, attempts to influence team selection, and unrealistic expectations placed on a young squad hit by injuries to Cole Palmer and Colwill.

Chelsea had initially planned to review his position at the end of the season if results improved, but Maresca’s growing unhappiness hastened the decision to part ways.

The Blues now face a demanding run of fixtures, starting with a clash against second-placed Manchester City, followed by games against Arsenal and Napoli.

Behind the Exit: Why Chelsea Ended Enzo Maresca’s Reign at Stamford Bridge