Chelsea Football Club has been plunged into a sudden search for a new head coach after the spectacular departure of Enzo Maresca on Thursday. The club's hierarchy is now moving quickly, with Liam Rosenior emerging as the primary candidate to take the helm at Stamford Bridge.
The Sudden Vacancy and Leading Contender
The shock exit of Maresca followed a dramatic breakdown in his relationship with the club's decision-makers. Into the breach steps Liam Rosenior, the 41-year-old currently managing sister club Strasbourg. Rosenior, who previously managed Hull City, has admirers within the Chelsea ownership group, BlueCo. However, appointing him would require BlueCo to find a replacement for him at Strasbourg, who currently sit seventh in France's Ligue 1.
While other candidates have been considered, including Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola, sources indicate Rosenior had moved to the front of the queue by Thursday night. Notably, former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, now at Marseille, is not under consideration, nor are club legends Cesc Fàbregas or John Terry.
Immediate Fallout and Interim Plans
The timing of Maresca's exit is far from ideal, with Chelsea due to face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium this Sunday in the Premier League. The club has asked under-21s coach Calum McFarlane, assisted by Maresca's backroom staff, to prepare the squad for the trip. Chelsea is keen to avoid McFarlane acting as a long-term interim, hoping for a rapid appointment that could even see the new manager in place for Wednesday's West London derby against Fulham.
It remains unclear whether members of Maresca's staff, including assistant Willy Caballero, will stay or depart. Caballero could take temporary charge if a quick appointment isn't secured.
Reasons Behind the Dramatic Split
Maresca's departure comes after a turbulent period where Chelsea won just one of their last seven Premier League matches. The final rupture is believed to stem from serious friction, notably between the coach and the club's medical department over the management and return-to-play protocols for injured players.
The situation escalated after Maresca's emotional post-match comments following a win over Everton, where he claimed to have lived through his 'worst 48 hours'. Club executives were deeply unimpressed with these public remarks and other incidents, including his decision to skip Tuesday's press conference, allegedly due to illness—a move the hierarchy viewed as unprofessional and disrespectful to his deputy.
In a brief 99-word statement, Chelsea confirmed the separation, thanking Maresca for leading the team to UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup success, but stating both parties believed a change offered the best chance to get the season on track with key goals, including Champions League qualification, still attainable.
The club's aim is for a new head coach to continue working within the existing system established by Maresca, avoiding major tactical overhauls mid-season as they look to solidify their fifth-place position.
