Enzo Maresca’s Dismissal: Reflecting on His Achievements Before New Year’s Day Departure

When Chelsea’s manager won the Premier League Manager of the Month for November, few expected his sacking less than a month later. He received the award on December 12, but just ten days later, Chelsea let him go. The Manager of the Month for November finished 2022 without a job.

His dismissal highlighted the issues that marked his time at the club. While the draw against Bournemouth was disappointing, the overall situation wasn’t dire.

The main issue was straightforward: nothing felt complete. Chelsea hit the post against Bournemouth and could have won. They entered the opposition penalty area 52 times, indicating some success. However, Bournemouth also had six big chances. There were good moments and bad, but nothing cohesive. The speed of Chelsea’s decision surprised even long-time observers of the club.

Chelsea is known for making sudden decisions about managers and players. Todd Boehly did not bring in any corporate decision-making model; his choices are often quick and inconsistent, becoming a part of the club’s identity. Still, Maresca’s quick firing was even faster than usual.

Enzo Maresca: From Manager of the Month to January Sacking

The Highs: Success in Key Matches

In his tenure, there were real highlights. Under Maresca, Chelsea won the Conference League, secured the Club World Cup, returned to the Champions League, and often triumphed over top teams. For example, they convincingly beat Barcelona and showed strength against Arsenal despite being a player short.

Maresca excelled in preparing for important matches. His team appeared organized and tactically sound. Even in losses, he seemed to have a clear approach and made specific adjustments. He effectively used Malo Gusto’s strengths and demonstrated a good understanding of spacing. In those critical games, Chelsea looked like a well-functioning unit.

The problem arose when facing ordinary league matches.

Matches against Bournemouth and Brentford revealed a lack of cohesion. Chelsea could dominate against top teams like Barcelona and Arsenal but then lose to lower-tier teams like Leeds. Without clear tactical plans, the team struggled to find stability. Maresca could prepare for key games but failed to build a reliable foundation for regular matches.

This led to Boehly’s straightforward decision. Maresca won trophies and returned the team to the Champions League, but he also dropped crucial points. Chelsea lost 15 points from winning positions this season.

Fifteen points is significant and reflects a lack of stability and composure when finishing matches.

The Breakdown: Communication Issues

The boos from fans when Cole Palmer was substituted during the 2–2 draw with Bournemouth were not only about removing a key player. They indicated growing frustration and a sense that Maresca was searching for solutions without success. The lack of a clear Plan B made changes like Palmer’s substitution seem chaotic rather than strategic. By that point, it was clear he had been on the bench too long.

Maresca was hired to develop a playing style, working within a structure that did not give him full control over squad decisions. His goal was clear: to establish a system based on the tactics laid out by Thomas Tuchel. His work was intended to guide the next coach’s selection process, leading to a clearer identity for the team.

While there were some established tactics, Maresca struggled to maintain consistency. As results declined, communication also faltered. His comments about struggles, disagreements with the medical team, and lack of media engagement created an impression that he no longer supported the project. Chelsea reacted in their usual manner: decisively.

Maresca was not a poor coach—his ideas were modern, and he was tactically aware. However, he did not fully develop a system that could withstand difficult matches. That is the core issue.

While Chelsea’s performance improved in high-stakes matches, consistency in the league relies on being effective against all opponents. In regular fixtures, Maresca’s Chelsea often appeared lost, vulnerable, and lacked a clear identity.

Thus, Maresca’s sudden sacking, while surprising, makes sense. It arises from a disconnect between what Maresca offered and what Chelsea expected week in and week out.

The real question is how justified this decision will prove to be, depending on who Chelsea selects as his successor.