Enzo Maresca is set to leave Chelsea after a complete breakdown in his relationship with the club, with emergency talks expected to take place on Thursday. The Italian head coach, who was booed by supporters during Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, is unlikely to be in charge for Sunday's trip to Manchester City. Sources indicate Maresca wants to leave, though it remains unclear if he will walk away without a payoff. His contract runs until 2029.
Chelsea have won only one of their past seven league games, and the club's patience has been tested by Maresca's conduct off the pitch. Uncertainty began when he made cryptic comments about experiencing his 'worst 48 hours' at the club after a victory over Everton on 13 December. He has since refused to explain those remarks, leaving the club baffled and straining his relationship with the board.
Further tension arose when Maresca claimed he felt too unwell to conduct his press conference after the Bournemouth match, sending assistant Willy Caballero instead. However, reports suggest Maresca had actually made clear he did not want to perform his usual media duties, as he grew dissatisfied with elements of the Chelsea project.
The club have contingency plans, with Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior viewed as a potential successor. Rosenior has impressed in Ligue 1 and is considered a long-term candidate. If Maresca leaves, he would become Chelsea's fifth permanent manager since the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital takeover in 2022.
Maresca's position had been relatively strong after a 3-0 Champions League win over Barcelona and a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in late November, but a troubled December saw defeats to Leeds, Atalanta and Aston Villa, while his behaviour caused internal tension. There are suggestions he wants more influence over signings, but Chelsea are unwilling to alter their recruitment structure.
