Chelsea and manager Enzo Maresca have parted company with immediate effect ahead of their match against Manchester City on Sunday.
The Italian has left his post at Stamford Bridge after a run of one win in seven Premier League matches, with his position deemed untenable.
Cracks in the relationship between the 45-year-old and the Chelsea hierarchy started to appear following the Premier League match against Everton, with a decision now made to part ways.
Chelsea are expected to name Maresca’s replacement from a handful of candidates in the next few days, with Strasbourg coach Liam Rosenior one option, according to GIVEMESPORT sources.
Chelsea Confirm Enzo Maresca Exit
Enzo Maresca
Rumours that Maresca was set to leave had been circling across the last 48 hours, with Chelsea posting a statement on their website this lunchtime:
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.
According to GIVEMESPORT sources, the club and Maresca’s agent Jorge Mendes were working on an exit package on Wednesday night, with the board fully in agreement that a change was needed.
One of the main issues was between the Italian and the club’s medical department, with Chelsea insistent that decisions over player workload must be in conjunction with the manager.
GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs revealed earlier this week that Maresca wasn’t sick – as had been reported at the time – as he missed his post-match interview duties following the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.
The Italian was instead assessing his future as he believed he has had a lack of protection and interference from others led to critcial issues with the club’s ownership.
Maresca Held Talks With Man City
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