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New year Blues Maresca at risk of sack if poor run persists with a dry January
The Guardian
|January 01, 2026
Enzo Maresca will be in danger of losing his job as Chelsea's head coach if he cannot improve results before the end of January.
The Italian, who was booed by home supporters during the disappointing 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, is under mounting pressure after a poor run of form, and a series of self-inflicted wounds have raised doubts over his position.
Chelsea have one win from their past seven league games and although Maresca is set to be in charge for Sunday's trip to Manchester City his position is increasingly uncertain.
Concern over the 45-year-old's decisions during games and away from the pitch have grown in recent weeks and there can be no guarantee that Maresca will survive beyond the end of January if he proves incapable of reversing the slump.
The situation has felt unpredictable ever since the former Leicester manager, whose side have dropped 15 points from winning positions in the league this season, made cryptic comments about experiencing his "worst 48 hours" at the club after this month's victory over Everton.
This story is from the January 01, 2026 edition of The Guardian.
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