Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is expected to be sacked by the club today with his relationship said to have completely broken downplaceholder image
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is expected to be sacked by the club today with his relationship said to have completely broken down | AFP via Getty Images
Premier League manager Enzo Maresca has lost has lost his job after a fallout with the Chelsea board
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is the first Premier League managerial departure of 2026 after his relationship with the Stamford Bridge hierarchy is completely fractured.
The Blues are among Liverpool’s rivals for a Champions League spot while Everton could rival them for a Europa League place. The Reds have the chance to move five points clear of Chelsea on Thursday night as they host Leeds United at Anfield.
With Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa already well ahead of the chasing pack - Chelsea could be forced into the race for fifth place if Liverpool can pull away. Everton are in the mix as they sit two points behind the Blues with Manchester United level on points with Chelsea.
Sunderland are level on points with Everton but have a game in hand, which they play on Thursday when they host Man City at the Stadium of Light.
But there looks to be a twist in the race for Europe with Maresca on the brink at Chelsea.
A club statement read: “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.”
Doubts over Maresca’s position started to arise after the club’s win over Everton when the Italian came out afterwards and said he had the “worst 48 hours” since joining the club. That victory over Everton was their only win in their last seven games.
Maresca’s comments after the win over Everton left club bosses “baffled” and place a strain on the relationship with the manager.
Chelsea were said to be willing to give Maresca time to turn things around but after he did not attend the post-match press conference following the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, club bosses were said to have taken a dim view of those actions.
The Italian was said to be unwell but Ben Jacobs reported that “Enzo Maresca was not sick post Bournemouth. Understand he chose not to attend the post-match press conference because he is in the middle of making a decision as he considers his options at the club.”
With Maresca gone, there is a shock candidate lined up to replace him in the shape of Strasbourg manager, Liam Rosenior, who is described as “one solution” to replace Maresca.
The 41-year-old has impressed at the Ligue 1 club in what is only his second full-time job in management. He was in charge of Hull City between November 2022 and May 2024 but was surprisingly sacked by the Yorkshire club despite being nominated for the EFL Championship Manager of the Season.
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