Chelsea part ways with Enzo Maresca after poor form and internal tensions. 41-year-old English Manager emerges as the favourite to replace him.
Chelsea parted ways with head coach Enzo Maresca on New Year's Day after 18 months in charge, confirming the Italian's departure amid a dismal run of one win in seven Premier League games leaving the the Blues in fifth place, 15 points behind leaders Arsenal.
The Italian's exit comes amid reports of a strained relationship with the hierarchy, with Chelsea now turning to a successor to salvage their season across four competitions.
Reports pinpoint multiple factors behind the breakdown. Maresca clashed with the medical department over player fitness protocols, insisting on final say despite advice against risking fatigued stars during a congested schedule. His cryptic "worst 48 hours" comment post-Everton win also shocked the board, fueling perceptions of distraction while reports also claim he held talks with Manchester City twice.
Chelsea's hierarchy expressed disappointment, citing 20 dropped points from winning positions in the EPL and UCL, alongside fan frustration and poor home form (13th-best record).
Despite silverware like the Club World Cup and Conference League, plus fourth place last season, internal tensions proved insurmountable.
Bookmakers have Liam Rosenior as the clear frontrunner for the vacant Chelsea Manager role. The Strasbourg boss is linked through Chelsea's parent company BlueCo after guiding them to seventh in Ligue 1. Many believe the Chelsea board have been huge admirers of the Englishman's work in the French League.
Who are the betting favourites to be the next Chelsea manager?
According to the latest odds, Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior leads the market to become Chelsea's next permanent boss. Two Ex-Blues are next in the betting with former star Cesc Fàbregas 9/1 and former defender Filipe Luis 7/1 for a Stamford Bridge return.
| Next Chelsea Manager | Best Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Liam Rosenior | 2/5 | Bet Victor |
| Filipe Luis | 7/1 | William Hill |
| Cesc Fabregas | 9/1 | William Hill |
| Andoni Iraola | 16/1 | BetVictor |
| Oliver Glasner | 20/1 | Ladbrokes |
Odds last updated at 11:30 Friday, 2nd January.
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Rosenior leads the market after guiding Strasbourg to seventh in Ligue 1 under the BlueCo umbrella. His progressive possession-based style aligns seamlessly with Chelsea's youth-focused model, and the absence of a compensation fee makes him the path-of-least-resistance choice for a swift appointment.
A former Chelsea fan favourite has emerged as a leading candidate after making a strong impression in his first managerial role at Como in Serie A. Cesc Fàbregas brings elite-level playing experience into his coaching, combining modern ideas with his deep midfield understanding, while also offering an emotional connection to the club that could help unlock Chelsea’s talented squad.
Filipe Luis’s rapid rise at Flamengo has put him firmly on the radar for top European jobs, and Chelsea could be a natural next step. Having won the Copa Libertadores, along with multiple domestic titles, in just over a year as a senior coach, Luis has already proved himself as a top manager. While Atletico Madrid remains a tempting destination given his history there, Luis’s early success makes him an interesting candidate to one day take the Stamford Bridge hot seat.
Bournemouth’s head coach, Iraola, has turned the Cherries into one of the Premier League's best high-pressing sides. Iraola’s approach focuses on quick movement, structured pressing and intelligent use of possession, drawing comparisons with Chelsea’s style while already delivering strong results against top teams.
What next for Enzo Maresca?
Maresca's 18-month Chelsea spell delivered silverware like the Club World Cup but crumbled under poor form (one win in seven PL games) and internal clashes, including over player fitness and cryptic post-match comments.
He reportedly held discussions with City on two separate occasions. This came as Guardiola hinted at a possible departure after 2026, praising Maresca's Leicester exploits as "incredible".
City views Maresca as a prime Guardiola heir apparent, given his positional play philosophy mirroring Pep's at Leicester and Chelsea. The 45-year-old's rapid rise from Pep's tutelage to Premier League head coach makes him a natural fit for the Etihad evolution. Other contenders like Xabi Alonso (Leverkusen) and Roberto De Zerbi lurk, but Maresca's familiarity edges him ahead.
