Even by Chelsea’s requirements, this was some approach to see within the New 12 months. Following 12 months that had delivered qualification again to the Champions League and two trophies, the membership toasted 2026 by .
As one supporter succinctly put it to Telegraph Sport: “New yr, usual s— at Chelsea!” The membership is synonymous with managerial change, with for the reason that Clearlake Capital-Todd Boehly takeover. However the unravelling of Maresca was turbo-charged.
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It was solely in November that and Maresca placed on a united entrance over a rotation coverage that had come below hearth. By the top of that month, a goalless draw towards Arsenal with 10 males was being heralded as proof they may compete for the title.
However the wheels shortly fell off Maresca’s Chelsea profession in December with insiders claiming it “utterly unravelled” within the last two weeks of 2025, throughout which questions on his strategy to media duties and medical points got here to a head, notably when mixed with a mid-season droop.
Chelsea had at all times deliberate to assessment Maresca’s place on the finish of this season, however a mid-season change that the membership had hoped to avoid swiftly turned unavoidable.
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Sources imagine Maresca shall be privately delighted it’s all over and there may be actually a faculty of thought amongst some people that he was in search of a method out of Stamford Bridge, regardless of insisting he was in love with the squad and the followers.
Having change into a shopper of super-agent Jorge Mendes, and having opted for a change of look – after the – that led to him ditching the membership tracksuit in favour of a extra fashionable look that didn’t function the Chelsea badge, Maresca was .
Maresca in his new outfit – which didn’t function the Chelsea badge – through the residence draw with Bournemouth this week – Getty Photos/Darren Walsh
Chelsea took the hypothesis significantly and there’s a sense that the matter turned an undesirable distraction inside the membership and the squad, in addition to out of it.
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A few of those that know Maresca imagine he would wish to return to Metropolis as Guardiola’s successor, having already labored as his assistant on the membership, though query whether or not it will be sensible for him to switch the Spaniard immediately.
Now Maresca won’t be within the Chelsea dug-out to face Metropolis and Guardiola this weekend, and it is probably not coincidence {that a} determination on his Stamford Bridge future was taken forward of what may have been a really awkward build-up to the sport.
Assistant coach Willy Caballero took over the Italian’s media duties after the draw with Bournemouth and should now take cost of the Chelsea crew for the Metropolis sport, whereas the membership work on appointing a everlasting successor to Maresca.
Willy Caballero might now take cost of the Chelsea crew on an interim foundation – Getty Photos/Vince Mignott
It had been claimed that Maresca had not felt properly sufficient to face the media after the Bournemouth sport, however that has since been disputed amid a counter-claim that he merely didn’t wish to reply questions on the consequence.
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Regardless of the reality, Maresca’s dealing with of the media has undoubtedly induced rigidity and contributed to accelerating his departure, together with a poor run of outcomes.
It was after the victory over Everton – Chelsea’s solely league win of their final seven video games – that Maresca claimed the 48 hours within the build-up to the sport had been the worst of his time on the membership and .
There have been rumours the cryptic declare had been made following a comment at Chelsea’s Cobham coaching floor over Maresca’s substitutions and use of Malo Gusto as a No 10 within the Champions League defeat by Atalanta.
Sources now declare, nonetheless, that Maresca – who has refused to clarify his touch upon quite a few events – had been taking purpose at Chelsea’s medical division, which is alleged to have been an space of battle.
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There is no such thing as a proof of Maresca violating medical protocol or crossing purple strains along with his use of gamers or administration of minutes, however the aggravation of Cole Palmer’s groin harm towards Bayern Munich is alleged to have induced concern internally.
Cole Palmer’s groin harm towards Bayern was a reason for frustration – AP/Martin Meissner
Outsiders imagine Maresca’s post-Everton remark was a results of the very fact he had merely had sufficient of the best way during which Chelsea work and of getting to reply to the membership’s homeowners and sporting administrators.
As has change into the norm, co-controlling proprietor Behdad Eghbali, flanked by Chelsea’s sporting administrators, headed straight for the house dressing room following the disappointing draw with Bournemouth.
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However insiders reject the idea that the dressing-room visits are a post-match debrief. As an alternative, it’s stated that the homeowners and sporting administrators merely supply their congratulations or commiserations – win, lose or draw – and imagine the act is supportive.
Sadly for Chelsea, the wins have dried up of late and the very fact the crew have misplaced 15 factors from successful positions turned an actual drawback for Maresca. That pointed in the direction of a downward development and, with the membership nonetheless competing in 4 competitions, the homeowners and sporting administrators believed a change was required.
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The membership shall be braced for additional criticism over Maresca’s departure and the very fact they aren’t contemplating a star title for his everlasting successor.
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Liam Rosenior, who’s in cost at Chelsea’s sister membership Strasbourg, is a number one contender, whereas Porto’s Francesco Farioli is one other sort of head coach they are going to think about.
Chelsea are adamant that the mission and the model of play won’t change, with Maresca’s substitute having to suit their wants slightly than the opposite method round. Gone are the times when Chelsea merely goal winners, however the revolving door for coaches stays and time will inform if it truly is “the identical previous s—”.
