Chelsea have confirmed the departure of head coach Enzo Maresca, ending the Italian’s 18-month tenure at Stamford Bridge.
In a brief statement on Thursday, the Premier League club said Maresca and Chelsea had “parted company,” bringing to a close a period marked by early promise and a difficult finish.
Maresca leaves with Chelsea fifth in the league, 15 points behind leaders Arsenal, and with just one win in their last seven top-flight matches. Pressure had mounted in recent weeks amid poor results and reports of a strained relationship between the coach and the club’s hierarchy.
“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,” the club said.
The 44-year-old did not attend Tuesday’s post-match press conference after a frantic 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, a decision the club attributed to illness. Days earlier, Maresca had publicly lamented a lack of support within the club, describing the period before a 2-0 win over Everton as “the worst 48 hours” of his time in charge.
Maresca’s contract was due to run until 2029, with an option for an additional year. During his spell, Chelsea won the Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup in 2025, achievements that also helped guide the club back into the Champions League.
