Chelsea is holding an emergency meeting before the new year 2026 to discuss coach Enzo Maresca's future, as his relationship with the board is reportedly "completely broken down." According to multiple sources, a split could occur as early as January 1. Maresca is likely to leave before Chelsea's match against Manchester City on the evening of January 4.

The Italian coach's situation grew tense after the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on December 30. During that match, a section of fans booed and jeered Maresca for substituting Cole Palmer in the 63rd minute. Chants of "You don't know what you're doing," were heard, expressing dissatisfaction. Chelsea has also won only one of their last seven Premier League matches, causing pressure on the coaching staff to mount.

Off-field issues have significantly contributed to the erosion of trust between Maresca and the club. Instability began in mid-December when Maresca made an unclear statement after the win against Everton, saying he had experienced the "worst 48 hours" since joining Chelsea. These comments confused the board, especially as Maresca repeatedly refused to clarify their meaning. The former Leicester coach also mentioned that "many people" did not support him before the match, fueling rumors of behind-the-scenes problems at Chelsea.

Tension further escalated after the Bournemouth match, when Maresca did not attend the post-match press conference, citing health reasons. Assistant Willy Caballero spoke to the media on behalf of the team, stating the head coach had been unwell for two days. However, information later emerged suggesting Maresca deliberately avoided his press duties because he was considering his future and was dissatisfied with certain aspects of Chelsea's project.

Chelsea's board, reportedly showing patience with the 45-year-old coach, is now unhappy with the lack of stability and unpredictable developments surrounding the head coach. According to Sports Mail, Maresca wants to leave Chelsea, but it is unclear if he will waive his compensation. Maresca's current contract runs until 2029, with an option for a one-year extension. While the board was previously willing to give Maresca more time to improve performance, provided the team showed signs of progress in January 2026, recent events may force them to act sooner.

Chelsea has prepared contingency plans, with one option being Strasbourg coach Liam Rosenior, from Chelsea's feeder club. Rosenior is highly rated in Ligue 1 and has long been on the list of potential successors. However, the feasibility of this option depends on whether Strasbourg can find a suitable replacement.

If Maresca leaves, he would be the fifth official head coach since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over the club in 2022. The board prefers not to change coaches mid-season, especially after the turmoil following the dismissals of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter. The initial plan was to wait until the summer 2026 review, after two years of Maresca's tenure. But the current situation may force them to change course.

In late November, Maresca was in a relatively stable position when Chelsea defeated Barca 3-0 in the Champions League and drew 1-1 with Arsenal in the Premier League. However, a difficult December, with losses to Leeds, Atalanta, and Aston Villa, led to questions about his tactics and substitutions. This season, Chelsea has dropped 15 points from winning positions, the most in the Premier League.

January is predicted to be a challenging month for Chelsea, with 9 matches, including 5 in the Premier League, the FA Cup third round against Charlton, the League Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal, and Champions League matches against Pafos and Napoli. The reigning FIFA Club World Cup champions face a crucial decision as they prepare to confront these opponents.

Hoang An (according to Guardian, Daily Mail)