Maresca shocked even members of his personal workers when – after beating Everton 2-0 for Chelsea‘s solitary Premier League win in December – he mentioned “many individuals” had made it his “worst 48 hours” since becoming a member of the membership.

These feedback got here with none warning to membership workers or senior administration, who would have most popular any discussions to stay non-public.

However friction had been brewing within the months earlier than that.

Maresca had hoped to lift his profile following the Blues’ successes by way of alternatives exterior the membership. He was planning to publish a e book earlier than being blocked, and spoke at Il Competition dello Sport – an occasion in Italy organised by La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper – with out the membership’s permission.

He additionally made public that he disagreed with the membership not signing a central defender after Levi Colwill injured his anterior cruciate ligament in pre-season. The membership’s hierarchy defined that doing so might immediate academy prospect Josh Acheampong to request a switch, which in the end led Maresca to again down.

The previous Leicester supervisor has additionally switched brokers – from the Wasserman company to Jorge Mendes – and has been talked of as a possible successor to Pep Guardiola at Manchester Metropolis, which Maresca has dismissed.

As well as, he has more and more averted sporting membership tracksuits – opting as a substitute for his personal clothes.

Following his final recreation with Chelsea – a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on 30 December – assistant supervisor Willy Caballero mentioned Maresca felt too unwell to do his post-match media duties, however it’s understood his absence was extra because of him contemplating his subsequent steps.

It was noticeable that when Chelsea posted a 52-second video on social media on New Yr’s Eve summarising their yr, there was no hint of Maresca.