From winning the Club World Cup to saying goodbye: the Italian coach leaves with immediate effect. Contrasts with the club in the background
Just seeing his deputy, Caballero, after the match against Bournemouth seemed strange. “He doesn’t feel very well”, the official reason. But those close to Chelsea had a hunch that something had happened with Enzo Maresca. And so it was. The coach, certainly among the characters of the year 2025 which has just ended (he won the Conference League and Club World Cup), he informed the club that the match against Bournemouth would be his last match not only of the calendar year, but of the team. Irrevocable decision. And the separation became official today.
What happened
In the press release published by Chelsea we talk about consensual separation. But the context actually seems much more complex. Prior to this rather sensational farewell (the team, although with mixed results, was demonstrating good growth and with an extra-large squad like that of the blues it is never easy), there would have been some disagreements emerged in recent weeks. Things that Maresca didn’t like and which led to the decision to interrupt a relationship which, according to the contract, would have been very long-lasting (until 2029). The coach will therefore not be on the bench for the match against Manchester City scheduled for next Sunday and Caballero will probably take his place, until further notice.
In fact, the company will soon start working to find a replacement, who will probably be identified by the beginning of next week. When, perhaps, Maresca will better explain his decision to resign. At the moment, the coach prefers to remain silent, sign the documents and take a break. To return to coaching perhaps at the beginning of next season. Maybe in Italy.
January 1, 2026 (changed January 1, 2026 | 1:29 pm)
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