Enzo Maresca left the club just three days before Chelsea face Pep Guardiola’s Premier League title challengers.

Sources have told The Athletic that Chelsea had given Maresca two votes of confidence before things went sour. One of those occasions was in the days after the 2-1 defeat at Atalanta on December 9, when he was assured his job was not at risk after he had conveyed concerns about what would happen if they lost their next match to Everton.

Enzo Maresca has left his post as Chelsea head coach after a reported deterioration in his relationship with the Premier League club’s hierarchy.

Chelsea interim manager Calum McFarlane says it has been a "crazy" 24 hours since replacing Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea Under-21s head coach Calum McFarlane will be in charge of the first team for Sunday's clash with Manchester City, and he is not expected to make any major tactical changes in the team.

Raheem Sterling is prioritising a permanent move away from Chelsea this month amid interest from West Ham and Fulham, sources have told ESPN.

He told Match of the Day that Maresca "accelerated" the process, and he was the one who wanted to leave mid-season. He adds that Chelsea, who were not 100% convinced by Maresca, would have preferred it if the Italian departed at the end of the season.