Chelsea's two extraordinary digs at Enzo Maresca aired live on Sky Sports

Chelsea are in the market for a new head coach after parting ways with Enzo Maresca on New Year's Day, and some startling revelations have emerged from within the club since the announcement

Chelsea have aimed two quite extraordinary digs at former head coach Enzo Maresca following confirmation of his departure on Thursday.

The Blues were held to a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth earlier this week, and it emerged soon after the full-time whistle that the boss' future hung in the balance. Less than 48 hours later, confirmation of his exit arrived, with Chelsea now on the hunt to fill the vacancy.

Maresca, having previously coached alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, guided Leicester City to promotion during the 2023/24 season. He then succeeded Mauricio Pochettino in the Stamford Bridge dugout that summer, eventually leading the club to Club World Cup glory in 2025.

However, things have been far from straightforward in terms of Premier League form, despite securing Champions League qualification last term. In the current campaign, Chelsea have won just eight of their 19 league games so far, drawing six and losing five.

Tensions came to a head this week following the draw with Bournemouth, culminating in a statement confirming Maresca's departure on New Years Day. In a brief 99-word statement released on Thursday, the club confirmed: "Chelsea Football Club and Head Coach Enzo Maresca have parted company.

"During his time at the Club, Enzo led the team to success in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup. Those achievements will remain an important part of the Club’s recent history, and we thank him for his contributions to the Club.

"With key objectives still to play for across four competitions including qualification for Champions League football, Enzo and the Club believe a change gives the team the best chance of getting the season back on track. We wish Enzo well for the future."

However, it was some of the club's briefings after the fact that resulted in raised eyebrows. During Sky Sports' coverage of Thursday's Premier League games, presenter David Jones read out comments from the club that had been briefed to reporters, which included two quite extraordinary digs.

"The 48 hour comment was directed at the medical team at Stamford Bridge that he wasn't happy with," Jones said. "There is a suggestion Maresca went against the advice of the medical team at Chelsea on a number occasions.

"Playing players returning from injury longer than advised, leading to them being re-injured this season. He did not face the media on Tuesday and he wasn't ill we are being told.

"It is also being briefed that he spoke to Manchester City and Juventus since October. Despite briefing the club [Chelsea], they thought it was disrespectful.

"The feeling at Chelsea is that he has a lack of mental fortitude and emotional maturity," the Sky presenter concluded.

Chelsea have now begun the process of appointing Maresca's successor, but will be guided by their under-21s head coach, Calum McFarlane, in the meantime.

The Blues travel away to Manchester City this Sunday (5.30pm), before a tricky away test against local rivals Fulham next Wednesday.