Chelsea have released an instant 99-word statement after Enzo Maresca left his position as their head coach. The Italian had been under mounting pressure following a testing run of results in the Premier League, not to mention eye-catching comments he had made in the media about the club's hierarchy.
The Italian head coach departs less than two years into his contract, having agreed a deal which was supposed to run through until the summer of 2029.
Chelsea have won just one of their last seven Premier League games and have slipped to 15 points behind leaders Arsenal, and sit just five points above 14th-placed Brighton.
The club statement 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's 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."
For Maresca to have stayed, an improvement in result was needed - as football.london reported on New Year's Eve - but an exit decision has been made regardless.
The now-former Chelsea manager saw a breakdown in relations with the Blues hierarchy after a bombshell press conference following their win over Everton on December 13.
Maresca said: "The way the players want to learn has been fantastic and this is the reason why I've praised them - because with so many problems, they are doing very well after a complicated week.
"Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst because many people didn't support us."
He would clarify his comments by saying whether he was referring to individuals within the club hierarchy.
Maresca added: "In general. In general," though he later made clear his comments weren't aimed at supporters or journalists: "I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans."
However, things came to a head following the 2-2 draw with AFC Bournemouth and Maresca missed out on his post-match media duties due to feeling unwell. There was no way back from thereon out and his departure was announced on New Year's Day.
The Italian is reportedly high up on Man City's list to replace Pep Guardiola should he decide to leave the Etihad Stadium, and the two clubs had been set to do battle in the top-flight this weekend.
Liam Rosenior is understood to be admired by Chelsea chiefs - with the former Hull City boss in charge of fellow BlueCo club Strasbourg.
