Chelsea are on the search for a new manager after parting company with Enzo Maresca. Maresca was appointed as head coach in July 2024, succeeding Mauricio Pochettino, however, Chelsea and Maresca mutually agreed to part ways after concluding it gives the team “the best chance of getting the season back on track”, through an announcement on January 1, just 18 months since he landed the job.
During his time in charge, the Italian led the Blues to a top-four Premier League finish while also delivering two pieces of silverware in the form of the Conference League and Club World Cup.
However, the club has taken a deep dive in form since then. Chelsea have won just once in their last seven Premier League matches and were booed off after a 2-2 home draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday night.
That result left Chelsea fifth in the table, and while the side remain on course to reach the Champions League knockout phase and are in the Carabao Cup semi-final, it has been agreed Maresca will not be the man to get their season back on track.
However, the decision for him to depart Stamford Bridge three days before a massive showdown against Manchester City, comes amid speculation that Maresca informed the club that he had held talks with figures associated to Manchester City over replacing Pep Guardiola.
Sources have said that Maresca, who has agreed a severance package, attempted to use interest from Juventus and City as leverage for a new deal. His contract was due to expire in June 2029. Chelsea were unimpressed with the request and did not start talks.
It is understood that Maresca, said his goodbyes to staff and players on Thursday morning.
“Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have parted company,” read a statement. “During his time at the club, Enzo led the team to success in the Uefa Conference League and the Fifa Club World Cup. Those achievements will remain an important part of the club’s recent history, and we thank him for his contributions to the club.
“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. We wish Enzo well for the future.”
Following Maresca’s departure, Chelsea Under-21 boss Calum McFarlane is expected to take charge of the first-team for their clash against Man City this weekend.
McFarlane only joined Chelsea back in July to take charge of the club’s Under-21 team, leaving his previous role at Southampton to take the job with the Blues.
Now, though, McFarlane will be in the dugout at the Etihad Stadium for Chelsea’s clash against Man City this weekend, while the Blues still search for a replacement for Maresca.
Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior remains the early favourite to be Chelsea’s next manager, with the former Hull City boss understood to have impressed the Blues hierarchy during his time with the Ligue 1 club. Strasbourg are Chelsea’s partner club. While the ownership has seen Strasbourg make great strides in Ligue 1, the fans protested the sale. Chelsea nabbing their manager wouldn’t exactly help to soothe their concerns, instead reinforcing the perception that Strasbourg’s progress exists primarily to serve interests elsewhere rather than its own long-term sporting identity.
Crystal Palace Manager Oliver Glasner is another favorite. The Austrian’s situation at Palace is well documented. While Glasner is a serene figure, he’s reportedly voiced his displeasure at the club’s inactivity in the transfer market and failure to add sufficient depth following this season’s addition of European football. Well, he certainly wouldn’t have that problem at Chelsea. There are question marks over whether the back three system that Glasner deployed to great success at Crystal Palace would be well-suited to Chelsea’s squad, but his adaptability would surely appeal to the Chelsea hierarchy.
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Xavi Hernandez: The only name on this list who is currently available right now, it would be interesting to see whether the legendary former Barcelona midfielder would take a big job in the Premier League. He speaks good English and his favoured possession style would offer a natural succession from Maresca, although the football his Barcelona side played was often on the plodding side. While things ended awkwardly in Barcelona, it shouldn’t be forgotten that he led the club to an unlikely La Liga title at the height of their financial mismanagement.
Marco Silva : Another manager who is now into the final six months of his current deal, Silva would represent a cheaper, pragmatic option. While his appointment would be unlikely to set any pulses racing, he’s relatively proven in the Premier League and has arguably earned another shot at a big job after consolidating Fulham’s place comfortably in midtable.
Cesc Fabregas ; A modern manager who is making an impressive reputation for himself. Fabregas himself is a former Chelsea player, winning two titles with them, and is now in charge at Como in Italy. His tactical methods and practices have drawn praise and he has the minnows sat in sixth in Serie A - good enough for a European place at present. He's enjoyed scalps over the likes of Juventus and will no doubt want to take a top job should call come his way.
Unai Emery : Another Premier League manager clearly outperforming his resources. The question is just how long the Spanish boss will feel he can keep taking Aston Villa forward. He looks incredibly settled and has the run of the club in the Midlands, but after underwhelming stints at Arsenal and PSG there is a school of thought that Emery may want another go with one of Europe's heavyweights. Getting him from Villa Park midway through the season looks a near impossible task though.
