Maresca speaks out on Chelsea sacking after Blues confirm Rosenior as replacement

Enzo Maresca spoke publicly for the first time since his departure as Chelsea manager, saying he leaves Stamford Bridge with a sense of pride and peace despite the abrupt end to his tenure.

Maresca was fired on New Year’s Day, less than six months after guiding Chelsea to Club World Cup success.

Although results fell in the weeks before his departure, the club was fifth in the table. Premier League at the time and had shown signs of progress as the season progressed.

However, tensions had begun to emerge behind the scenes, with the Italians questioning aspects of the club’s management, prompting the Chelsea hierarchy to make a change rather than attempt to resolve these concerns.

Following Maresca’s departure, Under-21 coach Calum McFarlane was put in temporary charge and oversaw the 1-1 draw against Manchester City on Sunday.

Chelsea confirmed on Tuesday that former Strasbourg and Hull City head coach Liam Rosenior will take over on a permanent basis.

Maresca, who joined Chelsea in the summer of 2024, spoke about his time at the club in a statement posted on Instagram.

He wrote: “My journey with Chelsea began with the preliminary rounds of the Conference League. I leave with the inner peace of leaving a prestigious club like Chelsea where it deserves to be.”

He then thanked supporters for their support during his tenure, adding: “I would like to thank all Chelsea supporters for their support over the last 18 months.

“Support that was crucial in securing Champions League qualification, winning the Conference League and winning the Club World Cup. Victories that I will always hold in my heart.”

Maresca also paid tribute to his players and staff, saying: “A special thank you to all the players who have accompanied me on this wonderful journey. I wish everyone who has shared every moment with me every success in this second half of the season and in the future. Thank you, Chelsea, from me and my family.”

Before arriving in west London, Maresca enjoyed a successful spell at Leicester City and had previously worked as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. His coaching journey sees him as a potential successor to Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium in the future, while he has also been loosely linked with Manchester United following Ruben Amorim’s departure from Old Trafford.