Chelsea confirm Enzo Maresca exit amid poor Premier League run - ESPN

Chelsea have confirmed they have parted ways with manager Enzo Maresca ahead of Sunday's game against Manchester City.

Maresca's 18-month spell at Stamford Bridge comes to an end after a run of one win in seven Premier League games that left his side fifth in the table.

Chelsea were booed off at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday after a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth with Maresca facing chants of "you don't know what you're doing" from fans when opting to substitute Cole Palmer.

Chelsea's official wording stopped short of saying that Maresca had been sacked, rather that "Enzo and the club believe a change gives the team the best chance of getting the season back on track."

His exit was confirmed in a 99-word statement following talks about his future on Thursday.

Sources have told ESPN that the principal reason for his exit is a breakdown in relations with the club's hierarchy, with Maresca having been increasingly public with his displays of dissent towards Chelsea's ownership.

The 45-year-old claimed last month he had experienced "the worst 48 hours" of his time at the club in the build-up to a 2-0 win over Everton.

Maresca repeatedly declined to explain that outburst but sources told ESPN that this reflected a growing unease with his working conditions as opposed to a one-off bust-up behind the scenes.

Sources also said that Maresca's public comment took members of his own staff by surprise.

Chelsea's head coach works within a heavily supported structure including five sporting directors led by Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stuart.

Former Liverpool director scouting and recruitment, Dave Fallows, was added to the team in November, joining Joe Shields and Sam Jewell.

Clearlake Capital co-founder Behdad Eghbali is also a prominent presence from owners BlueCo while co-owner Todd Boehly is also an engaged contributor.

Maresca hinted at some frustration after the events of the summer transfer window, when the club rejected his calls to sign another centre-back following a serious knee injury sustained by Levi Colwill.

He did not appear at his post-match news conference after the AFC Bournemouth game. The official explanation given at the time was that Maresca was "sick."

Maresca, who joined Chelsea in July 2024, guided the club back to Champions League football in his debut season by finishing fourth in the Premier League, as well as lifting the Conference League title and the inaugural Club World Cup.

Chelsea have not confirmed who will take on the role in a caretaker capacity ahead of the game against Manchester City on Sunday.