Chelsea Football Club are set to part ways with head coach Enzo Maresca today, January 1, 2026, following an irreparable breakdown in relations with the club's board.
The decision comes after emergency talks failed to resolve the crisis, triggered by a disastrous run of form that has seen Chelsea win just once in their last seven Premier League matches. The club now sit fifth in the table, a staggering 15 points behind league leaders Arsenal.
The final straw appeared to be Monday's 2-2 home draw with Bournemouth, a result met with audible boos from the Stamford Bridge faithful, intensifying the pressure on both manager and ownership.
A Rapid Fall from Grace
Maresca's departure marks a dramatic and swift end to a tenure that began with promise. Hired 18 months ago on the strength of leading Leicester City to promotion, his first season delivered a historic cup treble—the UEFA Conference League, the Club World Cup, and a return to the Champions League.
However, the current campaign's collapse in league performance has eroded that goodwill, culminating in the total loss of board confidence.
Immediate Aftermath and Fan Division
The Italian is not expected to be in the dugout for this weekend's daunting trip to face Manchester City. While the precise terms of his exit—whether a sacking, resignation, or mutual consent—are still to be confirmed, an official club announcement is anticipated imminently.
The news has split the fanbase. Many are devastated at the loss of a manager who delivered tangible silverware, while others believe the recent slump made his position untenable, continuing the chaotic managerial turnover that has defined the Boehly-Clearlake ownership era.
The search for Chelsea's next permanent manager—their fourth in just over three years—begins immediately, as the club's notorious carousel spins once more.