### Enzo Maresca's Chelsea Tenure: A Rollercoaster of Triumphs and Turmoil Enzo Maresca's departure from Chelsea marks the end of an 18-month journey filled with notable achievements, including winning the Conference League and the Club World Cup, but ultimately overshadowed by a tumultuous exit. His tenure was characterized by a mix of highs and lows, with the club's performance fluctuating significantly, leading to a breakdown in relations with the club's leadership. Despite securing a return to the Champions League, Maresca's exit was precipitated by a series of poor results and internal conflicts, culminating in his departure on January 1, 2026 [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3751447-enzo-marescas-impactful-chelsea-journey-ends, https://www.sportworldnews.org/soccer/news/27061/enzo-maresca-leaves-chelsea-after-breakdown-with-club-leadership]. ### Breakdown of Maresca's Chelsea Exit 1. **Achievements During Tenure** - Led Chelsea to victory in the Conference League and Club World Cup. - Secured a Champions League spot for the following season. - Notable wins against top teams, including a 3-0 victory over PSG in the Club World Cup final [https://www.yardbarker.com/soccer/articles/the_athletic_share_concerning_update_following_enzo_marescas_chelsea_exit/s1_15956_43279565]. 2. **Reasons for Departure** - A significant decline in performance, with only one win in the last seven Premier League matches. - Internal disagreements regarding squad management and player rotation. - Public dissatisfaction expressed by Maresca regarding support from the board [https://www.mixvale.com.br/2026/01/03/chelsea-board-announces-marescas-departure-after-contacts-with-city-and-recent-poor-performance-en, https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2026/01/02/maresca-exits-chelsea-after-poor-run-of-results-falling-foul-clubs-power-brokers]. 3. **Immediate Aftermath and Replacement Search** - Chelsea has initiated a search for a new head coach, with Newcastle's Eddie Howe being a primary target. - Liam Rosenior has emerged as a potential candidate, alongside other names like Cesc Fabregas and Frank Lampard [https://metro.co.uk/2026/01/04/chelsea-make-move-eddie-howe-replace-enzo-maresca-26043555, https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/chelsea-frank-lampard-manager-maresca-36492152]. ### Supporting Evidence of Maresca's Impact and Challenges - **Performance Metrics**: - Chelsea's position in the Premier League: 5th place with 30 points at the time of Maresca's departure. - Recent form: Only one win in the last seven matches, indicating a significant downturn in performance [https://tezzbuzz.com/premier-league-2025-26-enzo-maresca-departs-as-chelsea-manager]. - **Player Sentiment**: - Concerns from senior players about the team's direction post-Maresca, indicating a potential regression in team morale and performance [https://www.yardbarker.com/soccer/articles/the_athletic_share_concerning_update_following_enzo_marescas_chelsea_exit/s1_15956_43279565]. ### Conclusion: A Complex Legacy In summary, **Enzo Maresca's tenure at Chelsea was marked by significant achievements overshadowed by a challenging exit**. The club's decision to part ways with him reflects ongoing instability under the current ownership, as they seek to reset their ambitions for the season. The search for a new manager is underway, with several candidates being considered to lead Chelsea into a new chapter [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3751447-enzo-marescas-impactful-chelsea-journey-ends, https://www.footballtransfers.com/us/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2026/01/enzo-maresca-breaks-silence-after-explosive-chelsea-exit]. 1. Maresca's achievements included major trophies and a Champions League return. 2. His exit was driven by poor performance and internal conflicts. 3. Chelsea is actively seeking a new head coach to stabilize the club's direction.