Enzo Maresca Leaves Chelsea: Reason Behind Shock Decision Surfaces As Italian Manager Leaves Club

Chelsea have parted ways with manager Enzo Maresca after a dip in form. The Blues have just one win in their last seven Premier League matches and have slipped to fifth in the Premier League table.

Enzo Maresca Leaves Chelsea After 18 Months

Chelsea have announced their decision to mutually agree to terminate the contract, less than two years after the manager was appointed. The club statement acknowledged the Italian’s accomplishments at Stamford Bridge, and said:

“During his time at the Club, Enzo led the team to success in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup. Those achievements will remain an important part of the Club’s recent history, and we thank him for his contributions to the Club.”

READ MORE: 3 Enzo Maresca Replacements Chelsea Should Consider With Italian’s Future Thrown Into Doubt After Bournemouth Draw

However, the Blues hinted that the manager was not on track to meet his season targets and thus had to take a call on his position. The statement added:

“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. We wish Enzo well for the future.”

The Italian, who won the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Conference League last season, is the sixth manager to leave the club under the Clearlake Capital-Todd Boehly consortium since they took over in 2022.

Why Has Chelsea Sacked Maresca?

Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol has reported three key reasons for the London club’s decision to sack Maresca. He claims that the recent results played a key role, while reports of interest and talks with Manchester City also made an impact.

The English journalist added that there were disagreements within the club, as the Italian overruled the independent medical staff’s decision on players’ fitness and their return from injury.

The former Leicester City boss was also at war with the board and the sporting directors, as evidenced by comments made during press conferences. He reportedly refused to explain his ‘worst 48 hours since joining the club’ internally, as he did when quizzed by the journalists in late December.

Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior is the frontrunner to replace Maresca at Stamford Bridge. The English manager has been working with BlueCo’s sister club and has impressed with the Ligue 1 side.

However, he is not the only candidate, though The Athletic has not named the other managers in the running. Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner has been ruled out, though the manager has reportedly decided not to renew his deal at Selhurst Park and leave at the end of the season.