Chelsea have confirmed that head coach Enzo Maresca has left the club after 18 months in charge.

“Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have parted company,” the Premier League club said in a statement issued on Thursday.

The Italian’s departure comes with Chelsea sitting fifth in the Premier League table, 15 points adrift of leaders and London rivals Arsenal, and having recorded just one win in their last seven league matches.

Speculation over Maresca’s future had intensified amid the club’s poor run of results and reports of a deteriorating relationship between the coach and Chelsea’s hierarchy.

“With key objectives still to play for across four competitions, including qualification for Champions League football, Enzo and the club believe a change gives the team the best chance of getting the season back on track,” the statement said.

Maresca did not attend the post-match press conference following Tuesday’s frantic 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, with his absence attributed to illness.

He has, however, stood by comments made on December 13, when he said many people at Chelsea were not supporting him or the team.

Maresca also described the days leading up to the club’s 2-0 victory over Everton as “the worst 48 hours” of his time at Stamford Bridge.

His contract had been due to run until the summer of 2029, with an option for a further year.

During his tenure, Chelsea won the Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup in 2025, while Maresca also guided the club back into the Champions League.