Enzo Maresca LEAVES Chelsea: Blues part ways with under-fire and angry manager after New Year’s crunch talks – as search for new boss begins just days before Man City clash
Enzo Maresca has departed Chelsea – and the club hope to appoint a new manager within days, Daily Mail Sport understands.
A spectacular breakdown in the relationship between the Italian and his bosses at Stamford Bridge had left his position untenable.
Maresca’s exit follows a turbulent period which has seen the side win just one of their last seven Premier League matches.
Chelsea have a small shortlist which includes bookmakers favourite Liam Rosenior. A plan is being made for Sunday’s trip to Manchester City but Maresca’s replacement is expected to be in place in the near future and could even oversee Wednesday’s derby at Fulham.
Daily Mail Sport understands former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi, who is now at Marseille, is among those who have been considered by the Chelsea hierachy, along with Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.
Cesc Fabregas and John Terry are not thought to feature on the shortlist.
The writing had been on the wall for Maresca after a spectacular outburst in which he claimed he had endured ‘his worst 48 hours’ following a victory over Everton.
Enzo Maresca has left Chelsea has just a season-and-a-half in charge of the club
The Blues have only managed one Premier League victory in their last seven fixtures
Officials were left seriously unimpressed with his public comments. It is thought that the claim related to serious friction between the manager and the medical department and a continuing difference of opinion over the management of injured players and their returns to action.
Reports linking Maresca with a return to Manchester City, where he had previously worked under Pep Guardiola, also left Chelsea’s bosses deeply unimpressed.
The aim is for a new manager to continue working under the same system, and to avoid the need to make major changes midway through a season in which the club remain fifth, despite their recent run.
In a club statement, the Blues said: ‘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.’
