‘Red line has been crossed’ – Enzo Maresca to storm out of Chelsea in dramatic new update
Enzo Maresca is on the verge of parting ways with Chelsea in a bombshell twist following Tuesday’s draw with Bournemouth.
Chelsea drew 2-2 with Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge, with the visitors scoring twice from long throw-ins.
The Blues have now won just one of their previous seven Premier League games, and the relationship between the head coach and the board has soured massively.
In a shock outburst following his side’s victory over Everton in December, Maresca publicly criticised the Chelsea board of failing to support him.
And in the days after, Maresca was linked with the Manchester City job ahead of Pep Guardiola‘s potential departure this summer.
Enzo Maresca may depart before Manchester City clash
Just months ago, Maresca was coming off the back of a season that had seen his side win the Conference League, qualify for the Champions League, and win the Club World Cup.
The Blues looked to have found the perfect man to lead their project forward, but the situation has dramatically changed over the last month.
| Enzo Maresca | Chelsea |
| Wins | 55 |
| Draws | 15 |
| Losses | 20 |
| Scored | 188 |
| Conceded | 94 |
Tensions between the Italian and those above him have been bubbling under the surface for a while, with the issues well and truly coming to the fore now.
Kaveh Solhekol reported on Thursday that there is now no guarantee Maresca will even be in charge for Chelsea’s trip to Manchester City on Sunday.
The 45-year-old failed to speak to the media after the draw with Bournemouth, with his assistant coach, Willy Caballero, explaining that the head coach felt ill.
But Ben Jacobs reported that Maresca was, in fact, not ill, and the decision was instead related to tensions at Chelsea.
“Relations have been strained for some time,” wrote Solhekol. “Maresca feels a red line has been crossed.”
Who could take over at Chelsea?
Maresca’s departure would send shockwaves around the Premier League. The Italian’s job was considered among the safest, and several clubs will be keeping an eye on further developments.
Decision-makers at Chelsea now potentially face the task of finding the former Leicester City boss’ replacement, just days into the January transfer window.
Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior is considered due to the Englishman’s relationship with BlueCo, but the 41-year-old’s experience is limited to the Championship and Ligue 1.
Xavi would appear the most likely appointment from the pool of available managers, with the Spaniard having left Barcelona in 2024.
Nevertheless, should Maresca go, the board at Chelsea face a job to rebuild their own reputations, with any potential arriving coach surely to look at the situation currently unfolding with hesitancy.