Liam's in the frame

FROM BACK PAGE

- BY JOHN CROSS

IN THE space of 17 days, Enzo Maresca’s relationship with the Chelsea hierarchy unravelled.

Normally, one sticking point is enough to see off most Premier League managers but, ultimately, Maresca’s fate was sealed after a string of issues.

His 18-month reign delivered the Club World Cup and the UEFA Conference League trophy, and the 45-year-old also led Chelsea back into the Champions League.

But his position became untenable after he decided to go head-to-head with the Stamford Bridge board, who were left with no option because the relationship completely broke down.

It went wrong after...

■On December 13, the Chelsea boss claimed the days leading up to his side's 2-0 victory over Everton were “the worst 48 hours” of his time at the club.

■He demanded the final say and medics allege he ignored advice on when to rest players when it was felt they were vulnerable to injury.

■Chelsea's results unravelled as they managed just one win from seven Premier League games and dropped 15 points from winning positions. It has seen them slump to fifth in the table.

■Stories suddenly appeared linking him to the Manchester City job just days after Pep Guardiola called Maresca the “best in the world”.

The Italian's media profile is so poor and that matters for a club as big as Chelsea. On December 30, he did not show up for his post-match press conference after a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, and it has since emerged him being ill was just an excuse.