Chelsea Football Club are poised to turn to Liam Rosenior as their next manager following the sudden departure of Enzo Maresca. The Italian's 18-month tenure at Stamford Bridge unravelled with dramatic speed, culminating in his exit on Wednesday, 1st January 2026.
Maresca's Reign Collapses in 17 Days
The relationship between Maresca and the Chelsea hierarchy broke down irretrievably after a series of public incidents. The final straw came when the former Leicester City boss described enduring the "worst 48 hours" of his time at the club. He then failed to attend his post-match press conference following Tuesday's draw with Bournemouth.
Behind the scenes, tensions had been mounting. Maresca was involved in disputes with the club's medical staff over player availability. On the pitch, results deteriorated sharply, with Chelsea managing just one win in their last seven Premier League games. This combination of factors forced the club's owners and sporting directors to act.
Why Rosenior Tops Chelsea's Shortlist
With Maresca gone, attention has immediately turned to his potential successor. The early and clear favourite is Liam Rosenior, the 41-year-old manager of Strasbourg. Rosenior's current club is owned by BlueCo, Chelsea's parent company, creating a natural link.
Chelsea's decision-makers are reportedly big admirers of Rosenior's coaching philosophy. They value his attractive style of football, his strong communication skills, and his proven ability in man-management. Despite not being a globally recognised 'big name', his work at Derby County, Hull City, and now Strasbourg has impressed the Stamford Bridge brass.
Crucially, Rosenior's reputation for developing and championing young players aligns perfectly with the club's long-term vision under joint owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, and sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.
Other Candidates Ruled Out
Chelsea's search appears focused and swift. Two other names linked with the vacancy have already been dismissed. Former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, now at Marseille, is considered a non-starter. Following Maresca's fiery tenure, the club is wary of appointing another similarly intense character.
Similarly, ex-Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who is forging his managerial career at Como, is not believed to be on the shortlist at this stage.
The club hopes to make an appointment promptly, but for this weekend's daunting trip to Manchester City, assistant coach Willy Caballero is expected to take temporary charge of the team.
This potential appointment marks a significant shift in strategy for Chelsea, moving away from the era of superstar managers like Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte. Instead, they are betting on a progressive coach whose ethos matches their project of building a squad for the future.
