Enzo Maresca has been sacked as Chelsea head coach after his relationship with the club became fractured following his explosive comments 19 days ago when he claimed “many people didn’t support us”
The fracture in the relationship between Enzo Maresca and Chelsea started nearly three weeks ago, but they have parted ways after less than two years. Despite being contracted until 2029, the Club World Cup and UEFA Conference League-winning tactician has left his role, in light of a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth – leaving the Blues fifth in the table.
“Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst because many people didn’t support us.”
Those words marked what felt like the beginning of the end. Even at that moment, 19 days ago, it seemed Enzo Maresca was living on borrowed time.
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His bond with the club became strained following those explosive remarks.
Chelsea bosses were left speechless by the Italian’s outburst after the 2-0 triumph against Everton on December 13, reports Football London.
Some officials were completely baffled by his meaning, whilst others couldn’t fathom why he aired his grievances publicly.
From that point onwards, Maresca appeared transformed – at least when dealing with journalists.
The Italian had previously maintained cordial relations with reporters, though he was always careful not to reveal too much, but even that rapport seemed damaged.
Following his initial explosion, he appeared hesitant to provide any further material for the press to scrutinise.
Yet the interrogation continued due to the sheer scale of his post-Everton revelation.
Come the end of November, Chelsea appeared to be in an encouraging position.
The squad sat third in the Premier League table with whispers of a potential title bid, though club insiders were swift to dismiss such speculation.
A demolition of Barcelona then followed in what will be remembered as one of Stamford Bridge’s most memorable evenings.
Only a solitary league victory came in December, but it wasn’t merely poor results that intensified the scrutiny on Maresca – it was those notorious remarks that created a burden of his own making. During Chelsea’s stalemate with Bournemouth, it became apparent that the supporters were growing restless.
The Stamford Bridge faithful voiced their displeasure at Maresca’s choice to substitute Cole Palmer after 63 minutes, with some shouting “you don’t know what you’re doing”, despite the Italian’s attempts to safeguard the 23-year-old, whose minutes are being carefully monitored due to a complex groin problem.
Yet just two weeks after Maresca received acclaim from the travelling supporters in Cardiff following his “worst 48 hour” remarks, the manager found himself facing intense scrutiny. Co-owner Behdad Eghbali, alongside sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, made their customary post-match trek across the pitch for their regular discussion with Maresca.
Whilst this wasn’t out of the ordinary under BlueCo’s operational structure, these meetings are widely thought to have contributed to Maresca’s mounting frustrations.
This would prove to be Maresca’s final post-match meeting in his role. The following day saw him and his advisors enter discussions with Chelsea regarding his future at the club.
A situation considered unsustainable following recent developments.
Chelsea now begins the hunt for their new manager. Liam Rosenior, due to his connections with BlueCo-owned Strasbourg, has emerged as an early contender.
