Chelsea part ways with Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day as managerial search begins

Chelsea have taken the decision to part company with head coach Enzo Maresca. The Italian tactician leaves Stamford Bridge with immediate effect, with speculation regarding his future having raged for some time. He severs ties with the Blues after less than two years at the helm, with Premier League giants in west London opening 2026 with another managerial search.

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  Maresca sacked: Another managerial change at Chelsea

  Maresca guided Chelsea to Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup glory last season, while also securing Champions League qualification, and had been working on a contract through to 2029. He now finds himself out of work, with the Blues opening their hunt for a suitable successor.

  A statement on the club's reads: "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."

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  Blues board take action: Maresca comments sparked speculation

  The 45-year-old claimed to be lacking “support” from certain areas of the club, which was considered to be a nod towards Todd Boehly and Co in the boardroom. While victory was enjoyed over the Toffees, a three-game winless run has been endured in the Premier League since then.

  Maresca’s final game at the helm was a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth. Anger in the stands spilled out at the end of that contest, with the Blues being jeered from the field. They sit fifth in the English top-flight table heading into fixtures taking place on New Year’s Day.

• Next Chelsea manager: Who will take the reins at Stamford Bridge?

  The Blues will be back in action on Sunday when taking in a testing trip to Manchester City. It remains to be seen who will be in charge of that contest, but Chelsea will want to move quickly when it comes to getting another permanent boss on board.

  It has been suggested that Liam Rosenior, who is currently in charge of the Blues’ sister club Strasbourg, is among those under consideration. He has never coached in the Premier League before, but has spent time with Derby and Hull City.

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  Maresca's record at Chelsea: Games and wins as Blues boss

  According to , Chelsea remain “firmly behind the approach installed following the takeover by the Clearlake Capital-Todd Boehly consortium in 2022 with the next head coach expected to fit into it and quickly stabilise and improve results”.

  The new man in the dugout will need to get disgruntled supporters back on side. Maresca earned plenty of credit after landing major silverware – having previously led Leicester to the Championship title when filling his first managerial role in England – but saw that evaporate late in 2025.

  While he will not be lining up against Pep Guardiola again this weekend – having filled two roles among backroom staff at the Etihad Stadium – it has been claimed that he is viewed by City as a potential successor to their highly-decorated Catalan coach. Guardiola is known to be a big fan of his former right-hand man and has seen it suggested that he could walk away from Manchester at the end of the current campaign.

  Maresca will be eager to land another role as quickly as possible, having proved his worth at the highest level. His overall record at Chelsea saw 55 victories collected from 92 games across all competitions, with 21 defeats being suffered. His tenure comes to a close while boasting a win ratio of 59.78 per cent.