CHELSEA and head coach Enzo Maresca have parted ways after the club and manager had a falling out.
There was speculation about Maresca’s departure in the English media on New Year’s Eve, and the club have now confirmed the situation.
“Chelsea Football Club and Head Coach Enzo Maresca have parted company,” the English Premier League club said in a statement today.
“During his time at the Club, Enzo led the team to success in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
“Those achievements will remain an important part of the Club’s recent history, and we thank him for his contributions to the Club.
“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.
“We wish Enzo well for the future.”
The 45-year-old Italian is leaving Chelsea less than six months after winning the FIFA Club World Cup at the end of his first season at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues have won just one of their past seven league matches and took only six points from six games in December to fall 15 points behind leaders Arsenal.
Apart from recent results, Maresca and Chelsea were reported to have falling out over other issues, notably his ambition to raise his profile following the Blues’ successes through opportunities outside the club.
He was planning to publish a book before being blocked, and spoke at Il Festival dello Sport – an event in Italy organised by La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper – without the club’s permission.