Chelsea have been advised to look beyond linked candidate Liam Rosenior and instead appoint former midfielder Cesc Fabregas as their new head coach, according to Liverpool icon John Barnes.
Maresca's Sudden Exit Sparks Managerial Search
The Stamford Bridge club are actively seeking a new boss after parting company with Enzo Maresca earlier this week. The Italian's departure followed a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday night, but is understood to be the result of mounting tensions with the club's hierarchy over several months.
This development has triggered intense speculation over who will next occupy the Chelsea dugout. One name prominently mentioned is Liam Rosenior, the current manager of French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg. Rosenior's candidacy is intriguing given Strasbourg is also owned by the BlueCo consortium, led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, which controls Chelsea.
Barnes' Verdict: Rosenior Not Ready, Fabregas Fits the Bill
However, Barnes has expressed serious doubts about whether the 41-year-old Rosenior is prepared for a job of Chelsea's magnitude. Despite acknowledging Rosenior's good work at Strasbourg and previous clubs like Hull City, Barnes believes the step up is too great.
"There's talk of Liam Rosenior coming in, who's doing a very good job at Strasbourg, but it's going to be very difficult for him to come into a club like Chelsea," Barnes stated in an interview with Covers. "Even though he'll likely accept the status quo and not have much power. That's not a good thing for a young manager, and I believe he needs more time."
Instead, Barnes has pinpointed Cesc Fabregas as the ideal candidate. The former Spain international, who made nearly 200 appearances for Chelsea as a player, is currently impressing as head coach of Italian side Como.
"Another option is Cesc Fabregas," Barnes continued. "Despite the fact he's a young manager, he has a history with Chelsea – which is very important. The fans loved him and he's done very well at Como, so I think he would be the right fit."
Why Fabregas Emerges as the Leading Contender
Barnes further argued that Fabregas's profile aligns perfectly with Chelsea's current structure. He suggested that established, 'big-name' managers who desire significant control would be wary of the Stamford Bridge environment, making Fabregas a more suitable choice.
Fabregas's coaching journey began at Como's academy following his retirement in 2023. After a brief interim spell in late 2023, he was formally appointed head coach in July 2024, signing a four-year deal after enrolling on a UEFA Pro licence course. His rapid rise has marked him as one of Europe's most promising young coaches.
While expressing surprise at Maresca's dismissal, Barnes emphasised that any new manager must accept Chelsea's unique model of collaboration between the coaching staff and the recruitment hierarchy. "I think whoever becomes the next manager needs to accept that approach and just get results," he concluded, firmly backing Fabregas as the favourite for the role.
