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ENZO MARESCA left Stamford Bridge in a hurry without addressing his Chelsea players after the team dropped points against Bournemouth on Tuesday.
Just a few days later, he found himself without a job.
Enzo Maresca hurriedly exited Stamford Bridge following Chelsea’s draw with BournemouthCredit: Getty
Chelsea announced Maresca’s departure on ThursdayCredit: EPA
Earlier this week, it was claimed that he was too ill to continue.
His assistant, Willy Caballero, stepped in to speak to the media instead.
However, it later became clear that he was not actually unwell, and the illness claim was merely a cover-up.
A source has now informed The Athletic that he quickly changed and left the stadium without saying a word to his players, having already made the decision to resign as head coach.
This action ultimately became the breaking point for Chelsea management.
The players were unaware of the situation until they were informed that a recovery session scheduled for Wednesday had been canceled, granting them an additional day off.
Discussions between Maresca’s agent, Jorge Mendes, and Chelsea officials took place on New Year’s Eve and the following morning.
A club statement read: “Chelsea Football Club and Head Coach Enzo Maresca have parted ways.
“During his time at the Club, Enzo led the team to victories in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup. These achievements will remain a significant part of the Club’s recent history, and we thank him for his contributions.
“With important objectives still ahead across four competitions, including qualification for Champions League football, both Enzo and the Club believe that a change is necessary to give the team the best chance of getting the season back on track.
“We wish Enzo all the best for the future.”
The head coach of the U21s will temporarily replace Maresca for the club’s match on Sunday.
In his pre-match press conference, he stated: “It’s been a hectic 24 hours, a whirlwind as you can imagine, but it’s also been really enjoyable and exciting.
“I can only be optimistic about it. We don’t know what the future holds beyond this game, but right now, the focus is solely on preparing the lads for Man City on Sunday. That’s my priority.
“We will approach the match aiming to present a strong performance and achieve a positive result. That’s our goal, and that’s what we’re working towards.
“Of course, we recognize we will be up against a strong team in good form, led by an excellent manager. However, we have talented players too, and we will enter the game with a positive mindset.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Enzo Maresca leave Chelsea?
Enzo Maresca left Chelsea following a draw against Bournemouth, after which he decided to resign without speaking to his players. This decision was reportedly the final straw for the club's management.
What was the reason given for Maresca's absence from the press conference?
Initially, it was claimed that Maresca was too ill to attend the press conference. However, it was later revealed that this was not true and was simply a cover for his resignation decision.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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