Poor results, upsetting board and battle with club medics sealed fate

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

- BY JOHN CROSS

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”.