The inevitable has finally happened. Chelsea Football Club confirmed that they have parted ways with Enzo Maresca, bringing an abrupt end to his 18-month tenure at Stamford Bridge. While the Italian guided the Blues to a Conference League title and a historic Club World Cup victory, the domestic reality has been far less forgiving. A disastrous run of just one win in seven Premier League games, culminating in a lackluster 2-2 draw against Bournemouth on New Year’s Eve, left the club languishing in 5th place, dangerously drifting away from the title conversation the ownership demands.
However, sources close to Cobham suggest this decision wasn’t purely result-based. The relationship between Maresca and the club’s hierarchy had reportedly fractured beyond repair, with the manager’s public dissent regarding transfer policies and “lack of support” during recent press conferences accelerating his exit. The board, notorious for their intolerance of internal friction, acted decisively to “protect the club’s long-term vision.” With Willy Caballero taking interim charge for the upcoming Manchester City clash, the focus now shifts to who can stabilize this talented but chaotic squad.
Here are the six primary candidates who could be next in the Stamford Bridge dugout.
Liam Rosenior (RC Strasbourg)
Liam Rosenior is currently managing Chelsea’s sister club, RC Strasbourg, in Ligue 1. Since his appointment in July 2024, Rosenior has done a commendable job in France, with his side currently overachieving against their expected points metric. Working under the BlueCo umbrella, he is already intimately familiar with the ownership’s multi-club model, recruitment philosophy, and the “young super-squad” strategy that Chelsea employs.
This would be the path of least resistance. Rosenior is viewed as a “company man” who understands the modern head coach role, focused on coaching the players provided to him rather than demanding transfer control. His progressive, possession-based football mirrors the blueprint Chelsea wants to instill across their network. However, the risk is experience; stepping from Strasbourg to the Chelsea pressure cooker is a massive leap, and fans hungry for a proven winner might view this as a lack of ambition.
Xavi Hernández (Free Agent)
The former Barcelona manager has been a free agent since leaving the Catalan giants in 2024. Despite being linked with jobs at Manchester United and even a lucrative offer from Spartak Moscow, Xavi has remained patient, waiting for an elite project. Reports indicate that Chelsea’s hierarchy has already held preliminary discussions with his representatives, identifying him as the “luxury choice” to restore the club’s identity.
If the board wants to double down on possession football but with more pedigree, Xavi is the answer. He won La Liga during a turbulent financial period for Barcelona, proving he can navigate political chaos, a skill essential for surviving at Chelsea. His adherence to a 4-3-3 positional play model would suit Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo perfectly. Xavi brings the “big manager” aura that the Stamford Bridge faithful often crave, but his potential demands for squad control could clash with the sporting directors.
Cesc Fabregas (Como 1907)
The prodigal son is making waves in Italy. Cesc Fàbregas has been a revelation at Como 1907, guiding them to promotion and currently sitting at an impressive 6th in Serie A. His team plays a sophisticated brand of football influenced by his mentors—Wenger, Guardiola, and Mourinho. At just 38, he is the face of the new generation of tacticians, receiving plaudits for his in-game management and ability to attract talent like Pepe Reina to his project.
The romantic narrative is undeniable. Fàbregas is a Chelsea legend who understands the expectations and culture of the club better than anyone on this list. Tactically, he is adaptable but favors technical dominance, which aligns with the squad’s strengths. His appointment would instantly unite the fanbase, buying board the patience they desperately need. However, like Frank Lampard’s tenure, the concern is whether his managerial career is too nascent for a crisis job of this magnitude.
Francesco Farioli (FC Porto)
After a rollercoaster 2024-25 campaign with Ajax that ended in a dramatic title collapse, Francesco Farioli has rebuilt his reputation at FC Porto with frightening speed. Appointed in July 2025, the 36-year-old Italian has taken the Primeira Liga by storm, boasting an 84% win rate and a defensive record that is the envy of Europe. His Porto side is currently dominating domestic proceedings, having started the season with seven straight wins and conceding just 13 goals in 26 matches across all competitions.
Farioli represents the “tactical prodigy” route. A disciple of Roberto De Zerbi, his philosophy revolves around “baiting” the press, instructing defenders to pause on the ball to lure opponents in before slicing through them with vertical precision. This high-risk, high-reward style would electrify Stamford Bridge and perfectly suit ball-playing technicians like Levi Colwill and Moisés Caicedo. Furthermore, his proven track record of developing young talent at Nice and Ajax aligns seamlessly with Chelsea’s recruitment strategy, making him a dark horse candidate who checks every box for the ownership’s long-term model.
Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth)
Andoni Iraola continues to punch above his weight with Bournemouth. Having led them to their highest-ever points tally last season, he has them comfortably mid-table again this year. Ironically, it was his tactical masterclass in the recent 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge that served as the final nail in Maresca’s coffin. His high-pressing philosophy has made the Cherries one of the most unpleasant teams to play against in Europe.
Iraola is the “chaos agent” option. His philosophy of intense, suffocating pressing (Bielsa-school) would maximize the athleticism of Chelsea’s young roster. He has proven he can get results in the Premier League without a superstar budget, which suggests he could do wonders with Chelsea’s resources. He represents a shift away from “control” toward “intensity,” which might be exactly what this lethargic Chelsea side needs to wake up.
Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace)
Oliver Glasner has solidified his reputation as one of the Premier League’s most tactically astute managers during his time at Crystal Palace. His 3-4-3 system has transformed the Eagles into a difficult-to-beat unit that transitions with lethal speed. Under his guidance, players like Jean-Philippe Mateta have evolved into elite finishers, proving Glasner’s ability to develop individual talent within a rigid system.
Glasner offers Premier League stability and a tactical setup that suits Chelsea’s current squad profile. The Blues have an abundance of wing-backs (Reece James, Malo Gusto) and mobile attackers who would thrive in his high-intensity, vertical system. Unlike Maresca’s sometimes slow, methodical buildup, Glasner’s “heavy metal” pressing could reignite the energy at Stamford Bridge. He is a pragmatic choice who could fix the defensive leaks immediately, though questions remain about whether his style is dominant enough for a team expected to control 70% of possession against low blocks.
