Enzo Maresca's Chelsea Exit: What Went Wrong?

A Rocky Tenure Comes to an End

Enzo Maresca's time as Chelsea's head coach has come to an end after a tumultuous 18-month stint. The decision to part ways with the 45-year-old Italian was not made lightly, but a series of disagreements and poor results left the board with no choice.

The Final Straw

The final blow was a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, which followed a string of underwhelming performances. The team's form in December was particularly alarming, with only two wins in eight games. This slump, combined with behind-the-scenes tensions, made Maresca's position untenable.

Behind-the-Scenes Clashes

One of the key issues was the club's return-to-play protocol for injured players. Maresca reportedly clashed with the medical team over how much players could play, with the medical team having the final say. This led to increased friction and ultimately contributed to the decision to part ways.

Board's Unanimous Decision

The Chelsea board made a unanimous decision to let Maresca go. They have no plans to change their current model and expect any head coach to fit into the existing system. The search for a new head coach is already underway, with RC Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior being a candidate. Roberto De Zerbi, Cesc Fabregas, and Oliver Glasner have been ruled out, as things stand.

Farewell to the Players

Maresca said his goodbyes to the players on Thursday morning. Marc Cucurella was one of the first to express his gratitude and wish the Italian well for the future.