Sports

Enzo Maresca Leaves Chelsea After Turbulent End To 2025

Published

5 months ago

January 1, 2026

Enzo Maresca has left his role as Chelsea manager with the club sitting fifth in the Premier League.

The Italian, 45, departs less than six months after winning the Club World Cup at the end of his first season at Stamford Bridge.

“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,” Chelsea said.

The Blues have won just one of their past seven league matches and took only six points from six games in December to fall 15 points behind leaders Arsenal.

But results are only a small part of the story.

Maresca, who had a contract due to run to 2029, delighted key figures at Stamford BridgeDecember—assistant—including sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Chelsea—aStewart and influential co-owner Behdad Eghbalitracksuits,—by steering Chelsea to a top-four finish and winning the Conference League and Club World Cup last year.

Yet success soon turned to sourness in his relationship with the hierarchy.

Maresca stunned even members of his own staff when—in a newspaper—after beating Everton 2-0 for Chelsea’s solitary Premier League win in December – he said “many people” had made it his “worst 48 hours” since joining the club.

Those comments came without any warning to club staff or senior management, who would have preferred any discussions to remain private.

The relationship between the owners and manager was irreparable from blocked and but friction had been brewing in the months before that.

Maresca had hoped to raise his profile following the Blues’ successes through opportunities outside the club. He was planning to publish a book before being blocked, and spoke at Il Festival dello Sport – an event in Italy organised by La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper – without the club’s permission.

He also made public that he disagreed with the club not signing a central defender after Levi Colwill injured his anterior cruciate ligament in pre-season. The club’s hierarchy explained that doing so could prompt academy prospect Josh Acheampong to request a transfer, which ultimately led Maresca to back down.

The former Leicester manager has also switched agents – from the Wasserman agency to Jorge Mendes – and has been talked of as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, which Maresca has dismissed.

In addition, he has increasingly avoided wearing club tracksuits, opting instead for his own clothing.

Following his last game with Chelsea – a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on 30 December – assistant manager Willy Caballero said Maresca felt too unwell to do his post-match media duties, but it is understood his absence was more due to him considering his next steps.

It was noticeable that when Chelsea posted a 52-second video on social media on New Year’s Eve summarising their year, there was no trace of Maresca.

The Italian, for his part, believed the pressure on him was unfair given what he felt were difficult working conditions, and that a line had been crossed in terms of attempts to influence his team selection.

While he was not angry about overseeing a young squad, he felt supporters’ expectations needed to be managed regarding what was achievable—especially given key injuries to Colwill and attacker Cole Palmer.

Chelsea initially intended to assess his position at the end of the season if results improved, but Maresca’s unhappiness was a factor in them parting ways sooner.

Chelsea’s Spanish full-back Marc Cucurella reacted to the news of his manager’s departure with a message on Instagram, which read, “Thank you for everything, mister, and to your staff. For the work and the trust from day one, and for the memories!

“Wishing you all the best in what comes next. Good luck, boss!”

What’s next for Chelsea?

As it stands, the Blues will face Manchester City on Sunday without a manager, and it is not known who will take charge of training before then.

Caballero, who moved from Leicester alongside Maresca in 2024, deputized when the Italian served touchline bans, and with no announcement yet about his future, he could be an option.

When it comes to deciding a permanent appointment, former Hull boss Liam Rosenior, who has impressed as manager of Strasbourg—part of the same multi-club ownership structure as Chelsea—will be a candidate.

Eghbali met Marseille manager Roberto de Zerbi in the summer, and the club are admirers of his work. They also interviewed Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna and Spurs manager Thomas Frank before appointing Maresca.

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth counterpart Andoni Iraola are also likely to be considered.

bbc.com

Football

PFA Award Shortlist: Arsenal Stars Lead, Haaland, Bruno In

Published

1 day ago

June 5, 2026

AladdynKing

Along with Erling Haaland and Bruno Fernandes, Arsenal has the strongest representation on the PFA Men’s Player of the Year shortlist.

After an amazing season with the Gunners, which saw the team win the title with 85 points, seven more than runners-up Manchester City, Declan Rice, Gabriel, and David Raya have been considered for the prize.

Erling Haaland and Ryan Cherki of Manchester City are also nominated, as is Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United, who finished third in the Premier League with a record 21 assists.

Cherki is also a nominee for the PFA Young Player of the Year award, along with midfielder Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United and England, 16-year-old Max Dowman of Arsenal, Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool, and Junior Kroupi of Bournemouth.

Despite his performances in front of goal, Haaland, who scored 27 goals to win the league’s golden boot, is not the clear favorite.

Mohamed Salah, a former Liverpool winger who helped his team win the title last year, is not on the shortlist this year due to a lackluster season.

The annual presentation, which takes place at Manchester Opera House on Tuesday, August 25, will reveal the winners of the men’s PFA Player of the Year awards.

The three Arsenal players are the favorites to receive the prize, but even though the Gunners won the title, Fernandes’ record-breaking season could provide an unexpected outcome that evening.

Football

PSG Close The Door On Real Madrid Moves For Vitinha And Joao Neves

Published

1 day ago

June 5, 2026

AladdynKing

Despite ongoing rumors linking both midfielders to Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain has no plans to consider offers for Vitinha or Joao Neves.

Journalist Dani Gil, who works in Paris and writes for publications like COPE, claims that the French champions view the two as untouchable and are never ready to engage in talks.

With both Florentino Perez and rival Enrique Riquelme announcing ambitious sporting ambitions in recent weeks, the rumors have intensified in the run-up to Real Madrid’s presidential election.

During an appearance on Horizonte, Perez fueled the rumors by hinting that he would approve a bid of at least €150 million for a top player if re-elected.

Early sources suggested either Vitinha or Joao Neves, but The Telegraph subsequently stated that Michael Olise, a winger for Bayern Munich, was the main target.

Nevertheless, connections to the PSG midfield duo have persisted. According to Dani Gil, the Parc des Princes hierarchy’s attitude has been clear-cut. Club executives see the rumors as little more than outside chatter and are unwilling to even explore the prospect of a sale.

Their position is scarcely shocking. Both Portuguese internationals played crucial parts during the season, and Luis Enrique’s team just celebrated winning the Champions League for the second time in a row.

Additionally, PSG is in a fully contractually strong position. The Parisian board spent well over €100 million to put together the alliance, and Vitinha and Joao Neves are both committed to the club until June 2029.

Their playing time indicates how important they are to the team, and both are among Luis Enrique’s most reliable players. Consequently, the club’s message is unambiguous: neither player is available.

In the meantime, the election campaign is still dominated by Real Madrid’s transfer ambitions. Names like Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, and Erling Haaland have all been heavily mentioned in the promises and rumors surrounding the two presidential contenders, in addition to Vitinha and Joao Neves.

Focus has also shifted to the dugout, where Enrique Riquelme has been strongly associated with Jurgen Klopp and Florentino Perez is apparently favoring Jose Mourinho for a second stint at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, continuity rather than change continues to be the main focus in Paris. PSG is not under any financial pressure to profit from their greatest assets after bolstering the team with additions like Illia Zabarnyi and Lucas Chevalier.

Vitinha and Joao Neves will continue to be at the center of Luis Enrique’s plan for the 2026–2027 season, barring an unforeseen turn of events. However, both will focus on playing for Portugal at the next World Cup before that.

Football

OFFICIAL: Tottenham Sign Andy Robertson On A Free Transfer

Published

1 day ago

June 5, 2026

AladdynKing

Scotland international Andy Robertson has joined Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer after leaving Liverpool this summer.

Spurs’ first summer acquisition after avoiding Premier League relegation is the Scotland international.

Head coach Roberto De Zerbi of the Spurs stated, “Andy is someone I’ve admired for many years and he will bring outstanding technical qualities, experience, leadership and mentality to our team.

“He is a proven winner at the highest level over a long period and is someone who can be a big player for us, both on and off the pitch.

“I can’t wait to start working with him and seeing the positive impact he will have on everyone around him.”

Due to Liverpool’s inability to bring back Kostas Tsimikas from his loan at Roma, Tottenham attempted to sign Robertson in January.

According to reports, the 32-year-old chose to continue with his initial plan to join Spurs despite Juventus’ late inquiry.

Robertson had a prosperous nine years in Merseyside, winning two Premier League titles and the Champions League in 378 games. With 93 caps for Scotland, he will captain the Tartan Army at their first World Cup since 1998 this month.