In a dramatic start to the new year, Chelsea Football Club has moved swiftly to identify a successor to departed manager Enzo Maresca, with reports indicating RC Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior is the leading candidate for the job.
Maresca's Sudden Exit from Stamford Bridge
The search for a new manager was triggered on January 1, 2026, when Chelsea officially confirmed the mutual termination of Maresca's contract. The Italian tactician leaves the club just 18 months into a five-year deal, despite having secured two trophies during his tenure.
According to club sources, the relationship between Maresca and the Chelsea board had deteriorated significantly, reaching a breaking point following a recent 2-2 draw against Bournemouth. His departure makes him the first Premier League manager to leave his club on New Year's Day, as noted by Opta statistics.
Rosenior Emerges as the Top Candidate
Multiple English media outlets, including BBC Sport, report that Chelsea's hierarchy has settled on Liam Rosenior as the preferred replacement. The current manager of BlueCo-owned French club RC Strasbourg has long been admired by the Chelsea leadership.
Rosenior's impressive work in France, which includes guiding Strasbourg to qualification for the UEFA Europa Conference League this season, has cemented his status as a future Chelsea manager in the eyes of the club's decision-makers.
Other rumoured candidates like Oliver Glasner, Roberto de Zerbi, Andoni Iraola, and club legend Cesc Fabregas have all been ruled out of contention for the position at this time.
Logistics and Potential Fallout
The appointment is expected to be finalized after Chelsea's upcoming match against Manchester City. Under-21 coach Calum MacFarlane will take temporary charge for that fixture and is scheduled to hold a press conference on Friday.
However, the move is contingent on Chelsea finding a suitable replacement for Rosenior at Strasbourg. This potential poaching is likely to unsettle the French club and could reignite protests from their fans towards owners BlueCo. Tensions are already high after Strasbourg captain Emanuel Emegha joined Chelsea in the summer.
Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes is reportedly assisting Chelsea's sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Lawrence Stewart, in the search. FC Porto manager Francesco Farioli is also mentioned as another option in the background.
Maresca's Chelsea Legacy in Numbers
Enzo Maresca's 18-month reign at Chelsea saw him manage 92 matches across all competitions. His record stands at 55 wins, 16 draws, and 21 losses, with the team scoring 191 goals and conceding 98.
He delivered two pieces of silverware: the 2025 UEFA Europa Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup. His tenure featured notable victories, including 3-0 wins over European giants PSG in the Club World Cup final and Barcelona in the Champions League group stage.
Despite the trophies, his average of 1.74 points per game in the Premier League places him behind recent predecessors Mauricio Pochettino (1.66) and Frank Lampard (1.52) among managers with 30 or more matches, according to Opta data.
