Neto Reacts as Chelsea Part Ways With Enzo Maresca After Sudden Decision
Chelsea have moved swiftly to dismiss head coach Enzo Maresca, a decision that has left winger Pedro Neto surprised and disappointed despite the club’s recent silverware and continued push for Champions League football.
The Italian departs only months after lifting the Club World Cup and guiding the Blues back into Europe’s elite, with internal tensions believed to have accelerated a split that had been quietly building since December.
Maresca’s position had appeared increasingly fragile after he publicly described a two day period last month as the worst of his tenure, citing a lack of support around the team. Those remarks followed a run of mixed results and were widely interpreted as a reference to strained relations with the board. At the start of 2026, Chelsea’s hierarchy opted for change, stating that fresh leadership would give the squad the best chance to realign its season objectives across four competitions.
The mood around Stamford Bridge shifted quickly once the decision was confirmed. While the club acknowledged Maresca’s role in delivering both the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup, attention immediately turned to the dressing room reaction and the short turnaround before a demanding run of fixtures.
Pedro Neto, one of the players most closely linked to Maresca’s project, emerged as a clear voice of support. The Portugal international joined Chelsea in the summer of 2024 alongside the former Leicester City coach and has since developed into a regular starter. His response underlined the personal impact of the decision within the squad.
Speaking after the announcement, Neto admitted he was taken aback by the timing. He praised Maresca’s influence on his development and described the coach’s work last season as exceptional, adding that the relationship extended beyond tactics to daily guidance and trust.
On the touchline, the focus now shifts to continuity. Under 21s coach Calum McFarlane will oversee the immediate transition, starting with a trip to Manchester City. Behind the scenes, Chelsea’s ownership structure has made Strasbourg coach Liam Rosenior a leading candidate, although the 41 year old has publicly played down speculation and reiterated his commitment to his current role.
Rosenior acknowledged informal exchanges within the BlueCo group but stressed that uncertainty is part of football management. His measured response has done little to cool the debate as Chelsea look to move quickly in appointing a permanent successor.
For Chelsea, the result is a decisive reset at a critical point in the season. With league trips to Manchester City and Fulham followed by an FA Cup tie at Charlton Athletic, the next few weeks will shape whether this bold call stabilises their campaign or deepens the scrutiny around the club’s long term direction.