Chelsea sent formal letter to Enzo Maresca and put performance chief on bench

Goal reports Chelsea sent a formal letter to Enzo Maresca reminding him of his responsibilities as his relationship with the club began to deteriorate, and placed the head of physical performance on the bench to advise the manager about substitutions.

Maresca was sacked on New Year's Day after less than two years in charge; he won the Conference League and the Club World Cup during his spell but had said he'd endured the "worst 48 hours", claimed a lack of support and held talks with Manchester City. More details of the breakdown have emerged, per the Mail, with one key issue described as a "major rift" over Maresca's treatment of players returning from injury. The club installed Bryce Cavanagh on the bench to remind Maresca when players needed to come off and to advise when they could stay on, a move made a week after Maresca's outburst and after two recently returned players suffered further problems.

Liam Rosenior replaced Maresca on a contract until 2032 and praised his predecessor while acknowledging the challenge ahead. Rosenior oversaw a 5-1 FA Cup win over Charlton and now faces Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday; Maresca failed to beat Arsenal in three attempts, while the semi-final winner will play Newcastle or Manchester City in the final.

Key Topics

Sports, Chelsea, Enzo Maresca, Liam Rosenior, Bryce Cavanagh, Carabao Cup