Chelsea have held an emergency meeting over Enzo Maresca’s future at Stamford Bridge, and the Italian manager has been sacked.

Chelsea’s hierarchy have convened an emergency meeting to discuss Enzo Maresca’s future, and the club has confirmed Maresca sacked after releasing an official statement.

The Blues’ alarming run of form has placed Maresca under intense pressure, with Chelsea winning just one of their last seven Premier League games. That slump has left them 15 points adrift of leaders Arsenal and only five points clear of 14th-placed Brighton.

Chelsea’s most recent outing ended in a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth just before the New Year, although Maresca did not conduct his post-match media duties after falling ill, adding further uncertainty to an already tense situation.

The 44-year-old’s position has shifted dramatically in recent weeks. Despite being named Premier League Manager of the Month for November, his future came into question following Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Everton on December 13, when he appeared to criticise the club’s hierarchy.

Maresca revealed after that victory that the build-up to the match had been “the worst since I joined the club,” claiming that “many people didn’t support us,” comments that reportedly strained relations further behind the scenes.

While Maresca has been linked with a potential future move to Manchester City as a successor to Pep Guardiola, Chelsea’s focus remains on their immediate situation, with reports suggesting a two-week breakdown in communication between the coach and club officials.

Maresca has now left Chelsea, having won the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Conference League title in his time at the club.

Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior is an early favourite for the role, while other sources have mentioned former Barcelona boss Xavi due to his availability.

Other names appreciated by Chelsea are Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.