Enzo Maresca's tenure as Chelsea head coach came to a sudden and dramatic end on New Year's Day, with the Italian departing the club after what he described as his 'worst 48 hours' at Stamford Bridge.
The Sudden Departure and Strained Relations
Maresca's exit, confirmed on January 1, 2026, marks the search for a seventh permanent manager since the Todd Boehly-led consortium took control of the club in 2022. Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior has emerged as the leading candidate to take over, while Under-21s coach Calum McFarlane will lead the team for their upcoming Premier League fixture against Manchester City.
The collapse of Maresca's position seemed unthinkable just weeks prior, following a successful first 18 months that included lifting the Club World Cup and the Conference League. The rift became public on December 13 after a 2-0 victory over Everton, when Maresca made stunning comments criticising a lack of support.
'Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst because many people didn't support us,' he stated, clarifying that his remarks were directed at the club's hierarchy. From that moment, the relationship with the board was irreparably damaged.
Contradictory Reports of Boardroom Backing
Despite Maresca's public claims of being unsupported, reports from outlets including The Athletic suggest Chelsea's executives acted to reassure him. Following a 2-1 Champions League defeat to Atalanta on December 9 – the club's fourth consecutive game without a win – Maresca is said to have expressed 'concerns' to the hierarchy.
In response, the board reportedly gave the 45-year-old a clear 'vote of confidence' and assured him his job was not under immediate threat. This account directly contradicts the head coach's narrative of being isolated during that critical period, though the precise truth of private conversations may never be fully known.
Player Reaction and Fallout
The news of Maresca's departure reportedly left the Chelsea squad shocked and disappointed. Winger Pedro Neto confirmed the players' surprise, telling Sky Sports: 'Of course, we didn't have the idea that [Maresca would leave] but we were all upset... I was a little bit surprised because the manager did very good for us.'
Neto praised Maresca's work, highlighting the 'unbelievable season' of the previous campaign and a solid start to the current term, despite the squad's shared desire to improve further. The search for a successor now begins in earnest, with the club hoping to stabilise after another period of significant upheaval.
