The fiery Enzo Maresca interview in full that came weeks before Chelsea sack decision

Enzo Maresca has been sacked by Chelsea following a dismal run of form in the Premier League and the beginning of the end of the manager's tenure at Stamford Bridge could be pinpointed to a bizarre interview after the 2-0 win against Everton.

Enzo Maresca's strange press conference that saw him lambast support from Chelsea could, perhaps, be seen as the beginning of the end for the Italian head coach at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea made a brutal decision to relieve the 45-year-old of his duties on New Year's Day, as they move into the New Year with a sense of fresh-start fever. It comes off the back of a turbulent term in the Premier League, which has seen Maresca guide the Blues to just a single win in their last seven matches.

The club statement on his exit read: "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."

The decision after Maresca seemingly hit out at the club midway through December, citing the "worst 48 hours" he'd had at Stamford Bridge, following a 2-0 win over Everton. It's a pivotal moment that fans might mark as the start of Maresca's journey to receiving his P45 from the club, and you can read it in full below;

Q: How do you reflect on the match today?

"I think it was a very important win. Everton were in good form in the last week, so it was important to win with today's game. I think we completely deserved to win the game and the effort from the players has been fantastic."

Q: Are you surprised Reece James has been able to complete three games in a row?

"Yeah, he's asking for more. He's getting better and better so it's a good feeling for us, because we've said many times that he's an important player for us."

Q: What difference does Cole Palmer make?

"I said many times that, with Cole, we're a better team. I really praise the players and the squad because we played 16 Premier League games, five of them without Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Cole Palmer, almost all of them without Liam Delap.

"And this squad, no matter who's playing, they're doing fantastic. Today was five games in 12 days so for sure when you see Cole Palmer there, we said many times that he's our best player, but we play almost all season without our best player.

"We play five games in the Premier League without Moises Caicedo. This is the reason why I'm so happy for the players and it's something that I would like that from outside people can appreciate that because the effort from the players is fantastic."

Q: How important is it for Palmer to do that in front of Thomas Tuchel?

"I don't know, it's a question for Thomas."

Q: Do you feel like from Palmer that he has only so much time on the pitch and he needs to make the most of it?

"He needs to be fit and if he's fit, for sure he has a chance."

Q: Can it be an advantage for Chelsea and England if Palmer is fresher towards the end of the season?

"Hopefully now we can keep him fit, that's the most important thing and then if he can help us in the future or the international team, we're going to see."

Q: Just quickly on Cole, how is he after that game? Have you spoken to him?

"I didn't speak with him. I spoke with all of them, but I didn't speak with Cole."

Q: How pleased are you with Malo Gusto?

"Yeah, but again, it's the effort from all of the players. We said many times that Reece and Malo, they are both full-backs and today they were both midfielders. So the effort, the open mind, the way they want to learn has been fantastic and this is the reason why I praise the players because with so many problems, they are doing very well after a complicated week.

"Since I joined the club, these last 48 hours have been the worst 48 hours since I joined the club, because many people didn't support us. So I'm very happy for Malo in that moment that the effort from Malo and from the rest show that they are all there and they want to help this club."

Q: What do you mean in terms of not having people supporting you in the last 48 hours?

"Worst 48 hours since I joined the club, because people didn't support me and the team."

Q: People in general?

"In general. In general."

Q: Do you mean the fans or the media?

"I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans."

Q: Is this your main back-four?

"But this back four was today, was Bournemouth, was Barcelona, was Arsenal. They are always there but now if we play Tuesday and Wednesday, for them it's complicated to play again. Wes [Fofana] cannot play every three days in this moment.

"So that's why also we try to change the central defender. The other day it was Benoit [Badiashile] next to Trevoh [Chalobah]. So we try to find a solution for the ones that they cannot play every three days."

Q: How have you picked your players up after a hard week?

"I try to convince them that this is football. This is part of football. You need to be ready. I took completely 100 per cent responsibility from Leeds game. It's been my mistake in terms of line-up, in terms of game-plan.

"It was not about our players. I think, again, that we are getting better and better and better. Especially with all this kind of situation that we try to manage since day one."