Enzo Maresca’s true feelings on Chelsea axe after contacting 2 rivals | Football | Sport

Enzo Maresca felt he was unable to manage Chelsea in the manner he desired. The club has publicly stated their intention to “make a change” to get their season “back on track.” However, it is understood that Maresca had also chosen to step down, with the past 24 hours spent seeking a resolution as his contract was set to run until 2029.

There were concerns within Chelsea that Maresca was disregarding medical advice regarding players, potentially increasing their risk of injury. Conversely, Maresca believed he was being urged to give younger players opportunities, particularly in European and domestic cup competitions.

Rather than attributing changes to his team to player fatigue or injuries, Maresca felt he was being pushed to make alterations in line with the club’s strategy of nurturing, purchasing, and promoting young talent to ensure they received sufficient playing time.

The club’s policy of frequent player trading has resulted in a high turnover of stars, necessitating regular play to maintain their market value. This makes it challenging for managers to determine optimal times for in-game substitutions, a point underscored when Maresca was booed for substituting Cole Palmer during Tuesday’s match against Bournemouth.

Palmer has been battling fitness issues since the Club World Cup in the summer, and efforts have been made to manage his playing time to prevent further injuries.

Maresca did manage to secure trophies last season, including the Club World Cup and the Europa Conference League, as well as steering Chelsea back into the top four. Despite his low profile, the Italian was eager to contribute more but felt that the club wasn’t encouraging this.

Maresca also disclosed interest from Juventus and Manchester City to the club, but affirmed his commitment to Chelsea.

Liam Rosenior is the frontrunner to become Chelsea’s next manager. Rosenior is the bookies’ favourite and currently manages Strasbourg, a team owned by Chelsea’s parent company, BlueCo. The 41-year-old has won over key figures within the Chelsea hierarchy with his football style, personality, and management skills.

Chelsea are keen to appoint Maresca’s successor promptly, but it’s likely that assistant Willy Caballero will lead the team for Sunday’s match against Manchester City.