Chelsea name top target to replace Maresca as two managers ruled out | Football | Sport
Liam Rosenior is the leading candidate to be the next head coach of Chelsea, following the dismissal of Enzo Maresca due to a deteriorating relationship with the club’s top brass. Maresca’s tenure at Chelsea, which lasted 18 months, came to an abrupt end in just 17 days after he described experiencing “the worst 48 hours” at the club and subsequently failed to attend his post-match press conference following Tuesday’s draw against Bournemouth.
The former Leicester boss also had disagreements with Chelsea‘s medical team over player fitness, and a poor run of form, with only one victory in seven Premier League matches, has triggered a change. This opens the door for Rosenior, who is currently managing Strasbourg, a club owned by Chelsea’s parent company BlueCo.
The bookmakers have him as the favourite to take over at Stamford Bridge. Rosenior, 41, is highly regarded within the Chelsea hierarchy for his football philosophy, personality, and man-management skills.
The former Fulham defender has previously managed Derby and Hull, but it’s his work at Strasbourg that has truly caught Chelsea’s attention.
Despite not being a household name, there is confidence that his strong communication skills, charismatic personality, and proven track record with nurturing young talent will win over the fans.
Chelsea are keen to appoint Maresca’s successor as soon as possible, but it’s likely that assistant Willy Caballero will lead the team for Sunday’s match against Manchester City.
Other potential candidates for the role include Como boss Cesc Fabregas, a former Chelsea midfielder who enjoyed a successful stint at Stamford Bridge, winning two titles. However, he is not thought to be on the shortlist.
Roberto De Zerbi, ex-Brighton boss now managing Marseille, is also not in contention. Given Maresca’s tumultuous tenure at Chelsea, marked by public disagreements, it’s unlikely that the club’s top brass would opt for a similar figure like De Zerbi.
Appointing Rosenior could be seen as a risky move, especially when compared to high-profile predecessors such as Jose Mourinho, Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte.
However, under the joint ownership of Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, and sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, Chelsea has always prioritised nurturing young talent and developing future stars. This approach aligns with Rosenior’s philosophy, making him a strong contender for the role, despite a shortlist of other potential candidates.
