Enzo Maresca leaves Chelsea days before Man City clash amid return rumours

Enzo Maresca has agreed to leave Chelsea after just 90 matches in charge of the club. The Italian was due to return to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday when the Blues hosted their Premier League rivals but this will no longer be the case.

Maresca had seemed to be on borrowed time for a few weeks following his controversial comments after beating Everton 2-0. He told reporters: "Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst because many people didn't support us," before stating: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club, because people didn't support me and the team, in general."

Not too long afterwards, Maresca was claimed to be on the radar of City should Pep Guardiola choose to leave the club at the end of the season. When asked about those, he replied: "It doesn’t affect me at all because I know that is 100% speculation.

"And in this moment, there is no time for these kind of things. First of all, because I have a contract here until 2029 probably. My focus, I said many times, is just about this club and I’m very proud to be here.

"But again, it’s speculation. One week ago I was [being talked about] in Italy, the same with Juventus. So I don’t pay attention because I know that is not true." Guardiola was also asked about the suggestion he could leave City. He said: "I understand the question when I have the end of a contract (coming) but I have 18 months left and I am so delighted and happy and excited about the development of the team and being there.

"That is all I can say. That question happens every single season at a certain point and I'm OK. The club and I are incredibly connected in terms of the decisions we have to take and when it's going to happen, it's going to happen.

"There are no discussions - end of the subject. There are no discussions. I will not be eternally here, but I've said before I will not be here forever. None of us will be forever in this world but there are no discussions.

"What is going to happen will happen and the club has to be prepared for everything - for the players and the CEOs, except the owners. They are here unless they are going to sell the club, which I don't think will happen.

"The rest, the club has to be prepared but that subject is not on the table right now." This week, our colleagues at football.london reported Maresca would need to see results improve in January if he was to remain the manager of Chelsea.

In a statement confirming his exit, Chelsea wrote: "Chelsea Football Club and Enzo Maresca have parted company. During his time at the club, Enzo led the team to success in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup. Those achievements will remain an important part of the Club’s recent history, and we thank him for his contributions to the Club.

"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. We wish Enzo well for the future."