Chelsea have officially begun their search for a new head coach after confirming the departure of Enzo Maresca on New Year's Day. The club announced the Italian's exit in a statement, bringing an end to intense speculation over his future at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca's Departure and Chelsea's Statement
The Blues parted ways with Maresca on 1 January 2026, just days after a 2-2 Premier League draw with Bournemouth. In their official communication, Chelsea thanked the 45-year-old for his contributions, notably guiding the team to victory in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
The statement read: "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." Chelsea currently sit fifth in the table, two points behind fourth-placed Liverpool.
Richard Keys Backs John Terry - But Chelsea Say No
Following the announcement, speculation immediately turned to who would replace Maresca. Renowned broadcaster Richard Keys publicly championed former Chelsea captain John Terry for the role.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Keys stated: "If I'm a Chelsea fan I want to see JT given a go. He's a Chelsea man to the core - has served time elsewhere & there's no reason he can't do what [Frank] Lampard is doing at Coventry - with better tools."
However, football.london has reported that John Terry is not under consideration by the Chelsea hierarchy for the managerial vacancy. This dashes the hopes of some fans who wanted to see the club legend take the helm.
Who is in the Frame for the Stamford Bridge Job?
With Terry ruled out, attention shifts to other potential candidates. Early reports have linked Liam Rosenior, the current manager of Strasbourg and former Hull City head coach, with the position.
In a further twist, the same sources indicate that another high-profile name, Roberto De Zerbi, is also not in the running to take charge at Chelsea at this time. The search for Maresca's successor is now fully underway, coinciding with the opening of the January transfer window.
Chelsea's next match is a crucial Premier League fixture away to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, with the team aiming to close the gap on the top four.
