Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has officially left Stamford Bridge with a former Hull City boss one of the favourites to take over.

The Italian missed his post-match press conference after their 2-2 draw against Bournemouth on Tuesday with a suspected illness.

However, speculation that Maresca was ill has been dismissed by former CBS Sportsjournalist Ben Jacobswith the Chelseahead coach considering his options at the club.

In an update on Thursday morning, Sky Sportsreporter Kaveh Solhekol said:?“We are reaching the point of no return for Enzo Maresca and Chelsea.

“At the moment, there is no guarantee that he will be in charge for Chelsea’s away game at Manchester City on Sunday.

“Relations are strained between Maresca and some key figures at Stamford Bridge. My information is that Maresca, for his part, feels like a red line has been crossed.

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“So I feel we’re getting close to that point where there could be a parting of the ways between Maresca and Chelsea by mutual agreement. It will be interesting to see whether he resigns or he’s sacked, or we get a statement saying it’s by mutual agreement. We’re not 100 per cent sure that he is going to be leaving, but that feels like the direction of travel.

“I think he just feels he deserves a little bit more respect for what he has achieved. I think he feels that he needs a little bit more support.

“He’s got the youngest team in the Premier League. He’s got the youngest squad in the Premier League. Chelsea don’t go out and buy world-class players anymore, they buy young players and they give them to Maresca to develop. He feels he’s been doing a very, very difficult job well. And you can judge him by the trophies that he’s won.

“But I just feel that he thinks the time has come to leave.”

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While The Guardianclaimed on Wednesdat night that‘it is highly likely that a parting of the ways is expected to take place on Thursday’ between Maresca and Chelsea with the Italian not taking charge of their match against Manchester City on Sunday.

Before Chelsea officially revealed that they had ‘parted company’ with the Italian on Thursday in a statement on their club website.

The Blues wrote in their official statement: ‘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 I Paperinsists that former Hull City boss Liam Rosenior is ‘among the leading candidates to take over’ from Maresca.

The report adds: ‘The former Hull City manager has led Strasbourg to seventh in the French top flight but has impressed Chelsea chiefs with his commitment to youth development and studious approach. He is regarded in the game as potentially the next big English coaching hope but there’s also an acknowledgement that it is a big step for the 41-year-old.’

Rosenior, who was sacked in May 2024 by Hull, has been excelling in France at Strasbourg with the Englishman helping them qualify for the Europa Conference League last season.