Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has said he has found "inner peace" having left the "prestigious club" where it deserves to be. 

Maresca parted ways with Chelsea on New Year's Day after an apparent breakdown with the club's hierarchy in recent weeks, following a run of poor results on the pitch. 

The Blues have won just one of their last eight league matches (D5 L2) but are still well-placed in the Premier League, sitting fifth and three points adrift of the top four. 

Chelsea have since announced Liam Rosenior as Maresca's successor, appointing the former Strasbourg boss on a contract that will run until the end of the 2031-32 season. 

Posting on Instagram, Maresca, who won the Conference League and Club World Cup during his time in charge, wished the club well for the future. 

"'Leave this world a little better than you found it.' My journey with Chelsea began with the preliminary rounds of the Conference League.

"I leave with the inner peace of leaving a prestigious club like Chelsea where it deserves to be. I want to thank all the Chelsea fans for their support over the past 18 months.

"Support that was crucial to achieving Champions League qualification, winning the Conference League and winning the Club World Cup.

"Victories that I will always hold in my heart! A special thank you to all the players who have accompanied me on this wonderful journey.

"I wish everyone who has shared every moment with me every success in this second half of the season and in the future. Thank you, Chelsea, from me and my family."

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Enzo Maresca (@maresca)

Calum McFarlane was in the dugout for Chelsea's showdown with Manchester City at the weekend, and the academy coach helped the Blues to a 1-1 draw at Etihad Stadium. 

Enzo Fernandez scored a stoppage-time equaliser to deny Pep Guardiola's side claiming all three points after they took the lead through Tijjani Reijnders' first-half strike. 

Despite being named as the new Chelsea boss on Tuesday, Rosenior will watch Wednesday's Premier League clash with London rivals Fulham from the stands. 

McFarlane will take charge of the Blues at Craven Cottage, with Rosenior's first game in charge coming on January 10 in the third round of the FA Cup against Charlton Athletic.