Chelsea Football Club have confirmed the departure of head coach Enzo Maresca, with the Italian leaving his role at Stamford Bridge on New Year's Day. The exit follows a tumultuous period where the team managed just one win in seven Premier League games, culminating in a breakdown of relationships behind the scenes.
The Guardiola Link and Maresca's Denial
Speculation surrounding Maresca's future had been building for weeks, primarily focused on reported interest from his former club, Manchester City. Maresca worked under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad, and in early December, Guardiola hailed him as "one of the best in the world", fuelling rumours he was being groomed as a potential successor.
When directly questioned about these links in December, Maresca was adamant they were baseless. "It doesn't affect me at all because I know that is 100 per cent speculation," he stated. "And at this moment, there is no time for these kind of things. My focus, I said many times, is just about this club." However, Mirror Football understands that these persistent links were a significant factor in the deteriorating relationship between the coach and the Chelsea hierarchy.
A Short Reign with Silverware
Maresca's tenure at Chelsea, which began in June 2024 after he led Leicester City to promotion, was brief but not without success. In his first season, he guided the Blues to a fourth-place Premier League finish, securing Champions League football, and won both the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Despite this early promise, the current campaign unravelled dramatically. The club's official 99-word statement, released on 1 January 2026, cited the need for a change to get the season back on track, with key objectives still in play across four competitions.
What Happens Next for Chelsea and Maresca?
Chelsea now face a crucial mid-season search for a new manager to salvage their campaign. The club stated that both parties believe a change offers the best chance of reviving their fortunes in the league and cup competitions.
For Maresca, his immediate future is unclear, but his connection to Manchester City and Guardiola's public praise will likely keep his name in the frame for top jobs. His departure from Chelsea underscores the intense pressure and rapid turnover at the highest level of English football, where even recent trophy wins cannot guarantee long-term security.
