Chelsea have announced the departure of head coach Enzo Maresca after 18 months in charge, as the west London club look to reinvigorate their season.
The decision comes with the Blues positioned fifth in the Premier League, but struggling for consistent results.
In an official club release, Chelsea thanked Maresca for his contributions, highlighting his role in guiding the team to two major trophies the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
“Those achievements will remain an important part of the club’s recent history,” the statement said, adding that both Maresca and the club agreed it was the right time for a change to boost their chances in multiple competitions.
Despite cup success, league form faltered. Chelsea have managed just one win in their last seven top-flight fixtures, and a 2-2 draw at home to AFC Bournemouth proved to be his final match at the helm.
The Blues currently sit closer to the relegation zone than the Champions League places a testament to their recent struggles.
Maresca’s tenure: Highlights and challenges
Maresca took over from Mauricio Pochettino in June 2024 after an impressive stint at Leicester City, where he masterminded a return to the Premier League by clinching the Championship title in the 2023/24 season.
His early days at Chelsea offered promise, with the team winning four of their first six league matches. The previous campaign concluded strongly, as Chelsea secured Champions League qualification by winning five of their final six fixtures.
The high point of his tenure came in cup competitions. Chelsea secured a resounding 4-1 victory over Real Betis to lift the UEFA Conference League crown in May 2025 and followed it up with a commanding 3-0 triumph against Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup final.
However, this season has proved testing. Despite investing in fresh talent including João Pedro, Estevão Willian, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Jorrel Hato, Chelsea struggled for consistency winning just two of their opening six Premier League games and only one in December.
What’s Next for Chelsea?
The Blues will now turn their attention to their next fixture a tough Premier League trip to Manchester City on Sunday, 4 January.
With the managerial role now vacant, fans will be closely watching who steps in to steer the team through a critical phase of the season.
