Chelsea have parted company with Enzo Maresca after just 18 months as head coach, bringing a swift end to the Italian’s tenure at Stamford Bridge following a turbulent run of results.

The club confirmed the decision in a statement on Thursday, saying:

“Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have parted company.”

Maresca’s exit comes after a dramatic downturn in form. Despite being named Premier League Manager of the Month for November, Chelsea managed just one league win in December, taking only one victory from their last seven Premier League matches. The slump left the Blues 15 points behind league leaders Arsenal, effectively ending their title challenge.

Sources indicate that relations between Maresca and the club hierarchy had broken down. While Chelsea were already considering his dismissal due to poor results, media comments, disagreements with the medical team, and reports linking him with other clubs, Maresca is understood to have stepped down, believing his position had become untenable.

Appointed in 2024 after leading Leicester City to Premier League promotion, Maresca was tasked with restoring Chelsea’s fortunes following two seasons outside the Champions League. In his first campaign, he delivered tangible success, guiding the club to a fourth-place finish, UEFA Champions League qualification, the Europa Conference League title, and the Club World Cup, all with a youthful but expensively assembled squad.

Attention has now turned to his replacement. Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior has emerged as the leading candidate, with Chelsea unlikely to pursue alternatives such as Oliver Glasner, Cesc Fàbregas, Andoni Iraola, or Roberto De Zerbi. An announcement is expected imminently.

Maresca’s departure means Chelsea are now searching for their fourth permanent manager since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital completed their takeover of the club in May 2022, underlining the continued instability in the club’s managerial structure.