BREAKING: Chelsea Part Ways With Enzo Maresca Amid Internal Tensions

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

Chelsea have parted company with head coach Enzo Maresca with immediate effect following a breakdown in relations over the past 48 hours, with the club deeming his position untenable.

The decision was reached after growing tension behind the scenes, prompting the Chelsea board to unanimously conclude that a change was necessary. Discussions over an exit package were already under way from Tuesday night, involving the club and Maresca’s representative, Jorge Mendes.

One of the central issues is understood to have been a serious disagreement between Maresca and Chelsea’s medical department. Club leadership reportedly insisted that decisions regarding player workload and welfare must remain autonomous and not be dictated by the head coach. This stance conflicted with Maresca’s approach, with the Italian believing there was undue interference and a lack of protection from ownership, ultimately leading to a breakdown in trust.

Chelsea sources have also clarified that Maresca was not ill following the recent match against Bournemouth, despite speculation. Instead, he chose not to speak publicly as he reflected on his future at the club.

Compounding concerns within the Chelsea hierarchy were reports that Maresca had already held preliminary talks with Manchester City. These discussions reportedly came as a surprise to senior figures at Stamford Bridge, with some believing the coach had become distracted at a critical stage of the season.

The club’s leadership was further alarmed by Chelsea’s on-pitch struggles, notably the dropping of 20 points from winning positions across the Premier League and Champions League. These collapses raised internal fears about the squad’s mental resilience under Maresca’s management.

Chelsea have no intention of altering their long-term sporting model and are expected to appoint a successor from a short list of candidates. Liam Rosenior is understood to be among those under consideration, while Oliver Glasner is not believed to be in the frame.

Maresca formally said his goodbyes to the Chelsea players on Thursday morning. An official club statement confirming his departure is expected shortly as Chelsea begin the process of appointing a new head coach in the coming days.