January 1 – Chelsea have parted ways with manager Enzo Maresca ahead of Sunday’s game against Manchester City. Maresca leaves after 18 months at Stamford Bridge and after a run of one win in seven Premier League games that see the club fifth in the table.

Maresca delivered two trophies, including a Club World Cup win worth roughly £80 million. He was the fifth permanent head coach since Todd Boehly took control of the club. His termination is another indication of where the power truly lies at the club, and it isn’t with the team manager.

Chelsea insist the split came after Maresca informed the club he had held talks with Manchester City about potentially succeeding Pep Guardiola, but the relationship had already been fraying. His cryptic admission about experiencing his “worst 48 hours” following the recent win over Everton raised eyebrows at the time.

There were footballing disagreements with Maresca clashing with Chelsea’s medical and performance departments, pushing for more freedom over player usage while the club maintained that strict rotation and return-to-play protocols would not be negotiated. The data-driven model won, Maresca did not.

The Chelsea hierarchy was similarly unimpressed when their captain, Reece James, played three full matches in a week, and equally unimpressed when their head coach appeared to be flirting publicly with other jobs.

The club statement read: “Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have parted company. During his time at the club, Enzo led the team to success in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup… 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.”

Former Hull City and Reading player Liam Rosenior, who now coaches at Chelsea’s sister club, RC Strasbourg, is being touted as a leading candidate to take over Maresca’s position.

Trophies usually buy time. At Chelsea, they barely buy the time it takes to make a cup-of-tea.

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