For most, the Christmas period see’s days amalgamate into a jumble of festive fun. One day you’re pulling crackers, stealing the last pig in blanket, the next you’re up on your feet singing Auld Lang Syne, pretending this will be the year you’ll “read more books” or “give running a go”. Before you’ve got time to finish all the leftovers, it’s time to get back to work. Yet, two familiar faces of English football shan’t be returning to their jobs. Despite “admirably” working all through the holiday season, without any look in of time and a half, Maresca and Amorim have left their managerial posts mere days after the ushering in of 2026.
The Making of Maresca:
Enzo Maresca joined Chelsea in June of ‘24. Maresca marked the fifth managerial appointment in a two-year time span since Abramovich sold the club to the BlueCo consortium. Yet the hiring attracted a fair few doubters, with the Italians resume not quite meeting the expectations of fans.
In the Italians first season in West London, he guided the blues to a domestic 4th place finish, securing them Champions League football for their 25/26 campaign. A vast improvement on their 6th place finish the season prior under Pochettino.
Not only did Maresca oversee Chelsea’s return to Europe’s grandest stage, he also re-introduced the club to that winning feeling on two occasions. Chelsea became the fourth team to win the Europa Conference League in May of this year.
Doubling their trophy tally for the season in the New Jersey sunshine, toppling French giants PSG 3-0, to crown themselves “Champions of the World”, in the newly formatted Club World Cup.
New Season, Next Title Challengers?
Things looked up for the Chels in the summer of ‘25 as the club splurged well over £300 million strengthening their squad. Premier League familiars, João Pedro, Alejandro Garnacho and Liam Delap all completed moves to the Bridge. “Proven” talent aside, the club also bolstered their squad with several future stars, with Jorell Hato joining from Ajax alongside the talented Brazilian Estêvão, who swapped Palmeiras for the Premier League. Despite an extremely busy window, Chelsea only had a net spend of £7 million, due to the quantity of outgoings.
Chelsea looked a force to be reckoned with, sitting 3rd in the Premier League table at the end of November, after grinding out a ten-man draw with league leaders Arsenal. Enzo Maresca was also declared Novembers Manager of the Month. Where did it all go wrong?
A December to Remember Forget:
A trip to Elland Road kicked off a disastrous December for Chelsea, losing 3-1. Maresca’s men then travelled south to the Vitality needing a response, but failing to achieve it, as Bournemouth held them to a goalless draw. Yet another game on the road followed as Chelsea flew to Bergamo for a Champions League Phase clash with Atalanta. Despite João Pedro putting the travelling Chels ahead in the 25th minute, the Italian side scored twice in the second half to win the game. A trio of poor away performances seemed rectified when Chelsea found a first December victory against Everton at home. Cole Palmer’s name was on the scoresheet, but the real plaudits went to Malo Gusto who registered two goal involvements in the 2-0 win. Chelsea succeeded their home win with an expected victory on the road to League One side Cardiff in the Carabao Cup. Stability regained?
Chelsea’s stability was short lived. St James’ Park was the latest stumbling block for Maresca’s men who found themselves two goals down at the break. Captain Reece James and João Pedro both scored in the second half to earn their side a draw and spare blue blushes.
They returned to the bridge to face an inform Aston Villa in what could have been a real statement win for Chelsea. João Pedro put his side ahead in the first half, but super sub-Ollie Watkins’ wonderous brace completed the comeback for The Villans who snatched all 3 points in West London.
The disappointment continued for Chelsea, with Maresca having very little to be merry about heading into his final game of the year, a game that ultimately would be his last in the Stamford Bridge dugout and last as the manager of Chelsea Football Club. His side drew with Bournemouth 2-2 after a flurry of first half goals for both sides.
MIA Maresca:
As the final whistle went, Maresca reportedly got changed and left the stadium, without uttering a word to his players. He hadn’t alerted the club, who in a panic, resorted to sending Willy Cabellero out to do to post match media. The club attempted to smokescreen Maresca’s storm-out by telling the media that the manager was ill.
Whilst this seemed and still does seem like a frantic tantrum, cracks had been forming for quite some time. Maresca was left furious in the summer after the club refused to replace centre back Levi Colwill who had suffered a cruciate ligament injury that would see him shelfed for most of the season. Instead, the club demanded Maresca utilise youth options. A further unravelment took place after the Everton game on the 13th of December, where Maresca unprovoked described the last 48 hours as the worst of his career. Unbeknownst to Chelsea staff and media officials who felt betrayed by Maresca’s outspokenness of internal conversations. Then came the news that Maresca featured on Manchester City’s “Pep replacement” shortlist, leaving a sour taste in both the club and fans mouths.
Maresca is the fifth permanent manager of the Boehly Era to leave. Some cite an issue with the club’s hierarchy and consortium others believe the club were right to part ways with the disgruntled Italian.
Maresca is succeeded by yet another rather inexperienced head coach in Liam Rosenior who has joined the club from sister side Strasbourg.
Another Sacking, Amorim at Last:
This story broke with a lot less juice, less controversy, Ruben Amorim’s departure from Manchester United was welcomed, celebrated by fans fed up with the Portuguese’s stubborn tactics. The decision to sack Amorim interestingly seemed appreciated also by the man himself, who has been pictured gleefully fleeing the training ground.
It’s worth noting, a significant difference between the Amorim situation and the Maresca situation is that Amorim is entitled to a huge payout due to being sacked, Maresca effectively quit meaning he is due little to no compensation.
Amorim: Bound for Success:
Amorim was an enigma at Sporting Lisbon. He broke Sporting’s 19-year title drought in just his second year at the helm of the Lisbon Giants. Acknowledged for his flexibility, his ability to develop young players, and all-round attractive play. Amorim was admired by Europe’s elite, considered as a managerial candidate by Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Barcelona prior to his move to Manchester. A young, studious, driven manager: what could possibly go wrong?
The Toxic End to a Tumultuous Reign:
Amorim joined United in November of ’24, tasked with recovering their dreadful start to the league. Manchester United were 12th when Amorim arrived, they finished that season 15th. His debut match summed up that season, a 1-1 draw to relegated Ipswich.
Progress wasn’t made in his second season, despite high profile signings. A huge improvement to Amorim’s attacking options was made with the acquisitions of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. Alongside a replacement for Onana in Senne Lammens. Amorim got what we wanted but still couldn’t get anything to stick.
Manchester United’s 25/26 campaign has been plagued with inconsistency, beating better teams such as Chelsea and Liverpool, but failing to defeat the likes of Brentford, Everton and even Grimsby in the cup. Amorim’s stubbornness with the 3-4-2-1 is all too well documented, but his lack of initiative or adventurism regarding tactics was a huge factor in fan frustration.
The final straw for fans and the club alike was poignantly related to Amorim’s formational choices. The 40-year-old opted for a brave change in setup against Newcastle on Boxing Day. Scrapping the criticised three at back in favour of a 4-2-3-1. The gameplan worked a treat, United played on the backfoot, counter attacking prolifically, with Patrick Dorgu scoring against the run of play in the 24th minute. That goal was seen out by some gutsy defending and a stellar performance in nets by Lammens, as United left Tyneside victorious. Yet, all the positives taken from that game, were abandoned 4 days later when Wolves visited Old Trafford. Almost as if Amorim was mocking fans, he bizarrely reverted to the 3-4-2-1 and drew the game, giving Wolves just their third point of the season. Amorim continued his cowardly tactics in Manchester United’s first game of 26’ away to Leeds. His side drew 1-1 after initially going behind. Pressure was mounting on the United board to act. The decision was ultimately made for them by Amorim, who’s tyrannous rant earned him his desired p45.
“I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not the coach of Manchester United. That is clear.
“It’s going to be like this for 18 months or when the board decide to change
“I’m not going to quit. I will do my job until another guy is coming here to replace me.”
Calling out the board was the icing on the cake, the final motivation Manchester United needed to sack Ruben Amorim. Their persistence was driven more so by financial implications rather than an optimism in Amorim’s style and vision. Reluctant as they were, Amorim was sacked on the 5th of January. Darren Fletcher will take charge of the first team against Burnley on the 7th.
The two former giants of world football, Chelsea and Manchester United, both begin the New Year with a new manager. Are changes in the dugout too cutthroat these days? Should clubs give managers more time? Who knows!
Both sides are stuck in a rut, attempting to rekindle the flame of their glory days. Liam Rosenior aims to get the blues blazing once more, whilst Manchester United hunt down yet another head coach to steady the calamity left behind.
