Enzo Maresca has left his position as Chelsea head coach with immediate effect as club and manager concluded that their increasingly embittered relationship could not continue.

Ahead of the Manchester City vs Chelsea match, Pep Guardiola reacted to the departure of the Italian head coach. Guardiola worked with Maresca at Manchester City before the Italian head coach became a manager for Leicester City and then Chelsea. Guardiola makes it clear that Maresca is an excellent manager whom Chelsea lost, and praises him.

Manchester United may have inadvertently played a part in strengthening their case for Champions League qualification.It came as a major surprise for all Premier League sides when Chelsea decided to

Enzo Maresca, who has been relieved of his duties at Stamford Bridge, revealed to Chelsea on a couple of occasions prior to his New Year's Day dismissal that he has held talks with officials at Manchester City regarding a potential opportunity to succeed Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.

Enzo Maresca left his role as Chelsea manager on New Year's Day with the club sitting fifth in the Premier League. The Italian, 45, departed less than six months after winning the FIFA Club World Cup at the end of his first season in charge but the Blues will look to act swiftly to appoint his successor.