\n<\/p>\n
Maresca stunned even members of his own staff when – 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.<\/p>\n
Those comments came without any warning to club staff or senior management, who would have preferred any discussions to remain private.<\/p>\n
The relationship between the owners and manager was irreparable from then but friction had been brewing in the months before that.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In addition, he has increasingly avoided wearing club tracksuits – opting instead for his own clothing.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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