Angry Chelsea supporters are mobilising for a major protest against the club's ownership, following the abrupt and acrimonious departure of manager Enzo Maresca. The 45-year-old's position became untenable after an explosive breakdown in his relationship with the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.
Fan Group Announces Protest and Lists Demands
The fan group orchestrating the action, called 'Not a Project CFC', has scheduled a demonstration to take place at the ground ahead of Chelsea's Premier League fixture against Brentford on January 17. In a social media post, the group launched a scathing critique of the BlueCo regime, stating the club is "run less like an elite club and more like a player trading farm focused on churn, speculation, and long-term potential at the expense of present day competitiveness."
They further accused the owners, who have invested over £1 billion since their 2022 takeover, of "prioritising long-term potential while sacrificing the present." The group has issued six direct demands to co-owner Behdad Eghbali and the board:
- Clear accountability
- An end to micromanagement culture
- Flexibility in recruitment volume
- Board stability
- Proper management support
- Championship ambition
Breakdown and Bitter Aftermath
The protest plans follow a period of significant turmoil behind the scenes. Despite a relatively positive start to the season, tensions between Maresca and the club's hierarchy escalated, coinciding with a drastic dip in form. The team has won just one of its last seven Premier League matches, with Maresca's final game being Tuesday's 2-2 home draw with Bournemouth.
The split took a remarkable public turn on Thursday when Chelsea, in a briefing to reporters, suggested Maresca lacked the "mental fortitude and emotional maturity" for the job. This extraordinary comment was read out live on Sky Sports, further inflaming the situation.
Search for a Successor and Immediate Future
Attention now turns to who will replace Maresca in the Stamford Bridge hot seat. Liam Rosenior, the head coach at fellow BlueCo-owned Strasbourg, is currently the favourite. Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola is also understood to be under consideration.
Former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, now at Marseille, is not on the shortlist, nor are club legends Cesc Fabregas or John Terry. In the interim, under-21 head coach Calum McFarlane will take charge of the team for their away match against Manchester City this Sunday.
This planned protest marks the second significant demonstration against the owners in less than a year, following action taken in February. While the club rallied to win the Club World Cup after the last protest, the current climate suggests a deeper and more sustained discontent among the fanbase regarding the club's direction.
