Enzo Maresca finally breaks silence after leaving Chelsea

The former Blues' boss has spoken out

The Italian coach agreed to part company with the London outfit on New Year's Day, despite leading his side to UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup victories during his only full season in charge.

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Reports on Maresca's departure all pointed towards a behind-the-scenes fall-out with club officials. And the decision for him to leave his role came just weeks after Maresca gave this surprising statement: "The last 48 hours were the worst since I joined the club. Many people didn’t support me or the team," during a press conference.

With Chelsea now ready to move on from the Maresca era, with the appointment of ex-Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior on a six-year contract, the former Leicester City head coach has finally broken silence for the first time since leaving Stamford Bridge.

The statement begins with the unconventional opening:"LEAVE THIS WORLD A LITTLE BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT," before developing into a wider discussion on his Chelsea tenure.

It continues: “My journey with Chelsea began with the preliminary rounds of the Conference League.

“I leave with the inner peace of leaving a prestigious club like Chelsea where it deserves to be.

“I want to thank all the Chelsea fans for their support over the last 18 months. Support that was crucial to achieving Champions League qualification, winning the Conference League, and winning the Club World Cup.

“Victories that I will always hold in my heart!

“A special thank you to all the players who have accompanied me on this wonderful journey.

“I wish everyone who has shared every moment with me every success in this second half of the season and in the future.

“Thank you, Chelsea, from me and my family.”

Maresca has already been linked with an immediate return to Premier League football, to fill the managerial vacancy at Old Trafford, and it now remains to be seen whether he is prepared to put himself forward so soon after leaving Chelsea.