Next Chelsea manager: Enzo Maresca leaves club - who is in the running for the job?
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has left the club after 18 months.
The Italian departs with the club fifth in the Premier League table – 15 points adrift of leaders Arsenal – following one win from their last seven top-flight games.
Maresca’s future had been the subject of speculation during a recent drop-off in form amid reports he endured a strained relationship with key figures at Stamford Bridge.
“Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have parted company,” read a club statement.
“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.”
Former Leicester boss Maresca was appointed as successor to Mauricio Pochettino in June 2024.
The 45-year-old guided Chelsea to Champions League qualification via a fourth-placed finish last season, in addition to winning the Conference League and Club World Cup.
His contract was due to run until 2029, with the club holding an option for a further 12 months.
Maresca’s final match was Tuesday evening’s 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth. Amid reports of tension behind the scenes, he missed his post-match press conference following that game, albeit his absence was attributed to illness.
Chelsea return to action on Sunday away to Manchester City, the first of nine fixtures across four competitions during a packed January schedule.
Who could be the next Chelsea manager?
Liam Rosenior, head coach of French club Strasbourg - owned by Chelsea’s parent company BlueCo - is among the early favourites to replace Maresca.
Other names mentioned in connection with the job are Spanish midfield legend Xavi, who won the Euros and the World Cup with his country as well as being part of the all-conquering Barcelona team of the late noughties and early 2010s, who was Barca boss for three years.
Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner could also be in the frame, after he expressed disquiet with Palace’s transfer strategy - although the club have confirmed the £35m arrival of Brennan Johnson from Spurs this week. Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been mentioned, but surely would not leave the Premier League’s form team, as has former Arsenal and Chelsea player Cesc Fabregas and current Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, although his star has waned with his club’s current slump.
Stamford Bridge legend Frank Lampard, currently in charge of high-flying Championship side Coventry, could also be in the frame, but did not excel when last handed the Chelsea reins, from 2019 to 2021.