Exclusive from Ornstein has explosive claims of two meetings with Man City which sparked Maresca removal | OneFootball

Chelsea have sacked Enzo Maresca just a few months into his second season at the club.

Rumours earlier today that there was a board meeting to discuss the head coach’s future were soon followed by confirmation that he would be leaving.

All was going well not long ago – Maresca was the Premier League manager of the month in November, but a dodgy run of games followed by his explosive comments about a lack of support from the club set in motion something of a collapse since.

Man City contact added to bad results to spark Maresca removal

Enzo Maresca speaks after Aston Villa defeat in crisp 4K.

Chelsea are winless in 3 games, and have 1 Premier League win in their last 7 games. Chelsea were booed off at Stamford Bridge after a 2-2 home draw with struggling Bournemouth on Tuesday.

But the reason he’s gone may not just be bad results. The Athletic report that Maresca had been speaking to Man City about taking over from Pep Guardiola next summer, should the Catalan coach leave.

His Chelsea contract obliged him to inform the club about any contact with other teams, and David Ornstein says he spoke to City (and told Chelsea) twice, once in late October and once in mid-December.

In typically cinematic Premier League fashion, Chelsea face Man City on Sunday. It’s unlikely that Chelsea will have a manager by then, but their work on appointing someone will obviously begin now. Ornstein reports that Liam Rosenior, currently leading the Blues’ sister club Strasbourg, is a candidate.

Oliver Glasner is apparently not on the list, but given this is a mid-season change, we expect a dynamic shortlist with lots of names coming up.

In other news…

Chelsea announced the sacking with statement on their website which made clear what they want the public perception of their reasoning to be.