Enzo Maresca may have been relieved of his duties on January 1, 2026, but his impact at Chelsea remains significant and deserving of respect. Softfootball’s analysis shows that Maresca’s tenure, though short-lived, delivered historic achievements under the club’s new ownership led by Todd Boehly.
One of his biggest accomplishments came on 28 May 2025, when Chelsea won the UEFA Europa Conference League final at the Wrocław Stadium in Poland. After conceding early to a ninth-minute goal from Abdessamad Ezzalzouli for Real Betis, Chelsea responded emphatically. Second-half goals from Enzo Fernández, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho and Moisés Caicedo secured a commanding 4–1 victory for Chelsea.
Maresca followed that success with an even bigger statement on the global stage. On 13 July 2025, Chelsea defeated Psg 3–0 in the final of the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at MetLife Stadium. In front of 81,118 spectators, Cole Palmer delivered a masterclass, scoring twice and providing an assist. Few gave Chelsea a chance against a dominant PSG side, but Maresca’s tactical discipline and mentality proved decisive.
Domestically, his most crucial league result came on 25 May 2025, when Chelsea defeated Nottingham Forest F.C. 1–0 on the final day of the Premier League season to secure qualification for the UEFA Champions League. It was a high-pressure match, and his team delivered with a clean sheet when it mattered most.
Before Maresca’s arrival, Chelsea had not featured in that season’s Champions League. Under him, they not only returned to Europe’s elite competition but also lifted two major trophies.
While his departure on New Year’s Day 2026 marked the end of his tenure, the Conference League triumph, the Club World Cup victory over PSG, and the decisive Champions League qualification ensure that Enzo Maresca’s name will remain in Chelsea’s history books.
