ICYMI: Chelsea Sack Manager Enzo Maresca

Chelsea has sacked its manager, Enzo Maresca.

NewsRain Nigeria reports that Chelsea has sacked Enzo Maresca following a complete breakdown in relations within the club.

The Italian has cryptically taken on bosses in recent weeks and paid the price, sacked three days before their trip to Manchester City and just months after winning two trophies.

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Maresca has been on a collision course with the Chelsea hierarchy since his bizarre outburst after beating Everton on December 13, saying he had experienced the “worst 48 hours” in the job.

His reluctance to explain what the problem was, either internally or in public, further angered club bosses.

Maresca’s exit was confirmed by the club with a 99-word statement.

It 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.

“Those achievements will remain an important part of the club 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.”

Maresca was in a strong position at the start of December, having beaten Barcelona and drawn with league leaders Arsenal despite having ten men.

The ex-Leicester boss was also bolstered by winning the Conference League and Club World Cup in his first season.

Maresca said only last month that he would “absolutely” be Blues manager next season following reports that he could succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Both the ownership and sporting directors have been supportive of Maresca and his rotation policy earlier in the season.

But a desperate run of just two wins in eight games over the past month, including defeats to Leeds, Atalanta and Aston Villa, left him under pressure ahead of nine games in January.

Chelsea have now dropped a Premier League high 15 points from leading positions so far this term – with Maresca’s in-game decisions having been questioned.

He was also booed by large sections of the Stamford Bridge crowd when replacing Cole Palmer against Bournemouth on Tuesday.

Maresca’s shock decision to skip his post-match media duties, citing illness, following their 2-2 draw with The Cherries only increased tensions.

Liam Rosenior, manager of sister club Strasbourg, has quickly emerged as the frontrunner for the job.

Some reports suggest he could be in place before Chelsea’s game with Man City on Sunday.

Crystal Palace‘s Oliver Glasner has been considered in the past.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is also considered a candidate to take over at Stamford Bridge, while Fulham’s Marco Silva has been mooted.

Xavi is also thought to be highly fancied by some inside the club,