Softfootball understands that Chelsea Football Club has brought Enzo Maresca’s spell at Stamford Bridge to a sudden end, confirming today, January 1, 2026, that the head coach has left the club with immediate effect.
The call was made quickly, but inside the club, it did not come as a total surprise, following what sources describe as a very tense 24 to 48 hours behind closed doors.
The club has been clear that this decision was not triggered by one poor performance or a single frustrating draw. While recent results certainly added pressure, the real issue was a breakdown in trust and direction between Maresca and Chelsea’s ownership group.
Over time, small disagreements became bigger ones, and the relationship slowly started to wear thin.
In an official statement posted by Chelsea via their official X account, Chelsea praised Maresca for his work during a relatively short but eventful spell in charge.
They posted:
Chelsea Football Club and Head Coach Enzo Maresca have parted company.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.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.
Tensions first spilt into public view after a 2-0 win over Everton on December 13, when Maresca openly criticised the level of support he felt he was receiving. He described that period as his worst 48 hours since joining the club, comments that reportedly did not sit well with the board.
Transfer disagreements only added to the strain. Maresca pushed for a new centre-back following Levi Colwill’s injury, but the request was blocked by the club. There were also reported clashes with the medical staff over player workload, as well as internal frustration after a defeat to Atalanta, where tactical feedback became another sore point.
The final breaking point appears to have come after Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on December 30. Supporters booed the team off at full-time, and Maresca skipped the post-match press conference, a move that raised eyebrows within the club.
Even so, his time in charge wasn’t without success. Maresca guided Chelsea to UEFA Conference League glory, secured the FIFA Club World Cup with a smart tactical display against Paris Saint-Germain, and steered the club back into the Champions League.
He was also named Premier League Manager of the Month in November 2025, with Chelsea posting strong underlying numbers during his reign.
Chelsea are now moving quickly to appoint a successor, with Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior emerging as a leading candidate. Cesc Fàbregas is also admired by the hierarchy. Once again, Chelsea turns the page, hoping this next appointment finally brings some stability, though recent history suggests it may not be that simple.
