By Samuel A. January 1, 2026
Enzo Maresca has left his role as Chelsea head coach after 18 months in charge at Stamford Bridge. The Italian departs after a breakdown in relations with the club and a run of poor results, with just one win from the last seven Premier League games – that has left them 15 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal.
The club statement read: “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.”
Chelsea Football Club are expected to announce a new head coach in a matter of days, with Liam Rosenior, currently manager at Strasbourg, a partner club of Chelsea having been bought by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s BlueCo group, one of a handful of candidates who will be considered as a replacement.
Maresca, who had a contract due to run to 2029, delighted key figures at Stamford Bridge by steering Chelsea to a top-four finish and winning the Conference League and Club World Cup last year, yet, success soon turned to sourness in his relationship with the hierarchy. The Italian already hinted after beating Everton 2-0 for Chelsea’s solitary Premier League win in December that “many people” had made it his “worst 48 hours” since joining the club. The relationship between the owners and manager was irreparable from then but friction had been brewing in the months before that.
He also made public that he disagreed with the club not signing a central defender after Levi Colwill injured his anterior cruciate ligament in pre-season. The club’s hierarchy explained that doing so could prompt academy prospect Josh Acheampong to request a transfer, which ultimately led Maresca to back down. The former Leicester manager has also switched agents – from the Wasserman agency to Jorge Mendes – and has been talked of as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, which Maresca has dismissed.
In addition, he has increasingly avoided wearing club tracksuits – opting instead for his own clothing. Following his last game with Chelsea – a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on 30 December – assistant manager Willy Caballero said Maresca felt too unwell to do his post-match media duties, but it is understood his absence was more due to him considering his next steps. It was noticeable that when Chelsea posted a 52-second video on social media on New Year’s Eve summarising their year, there was no trace of Maresca.
As it stands, the Blues will face Manchester City on Sunday without a manager and it is not known who will take charge of training before then.
Eghbali met Marseille manager Roberto de Zerbi in the summer and the club are admirers of his work. Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth counterpart Andoni Iraola are also likely to be considered.
