Chelsea Part Ways with Maresca Amidst Controversies and Managerial Search

The new year commenced dramatically at Stamford Bridge, with the announcement on January 1 that Maresca, who guided Chelsea to victories in the Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup last season while also securing Champions League qualification, has been relieved of his managerial duties.

According to reports from The Daily Mail, the reasons behind the exit of the trophy-winning coach stem from ongoing issues behind the scenes. Maresca had publicly expressed concerns regarding the lack of support from Chelsea’s board.

Following a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, Maresca notably skipped his final post-match press conference, citing illness as the reason for his absence. However, sources suggest that he was in good health and has been accused of behaving “unprofessionally, disrespectfully, and unfairly” towards his colleagues.

The Mail further elaborated that Maresca angered Chelsea officials by disregarding medical advice concerning players’ injuries, leading to concerns about their overuse on the pitch. Meanwhile, The Athletic reported that he has already engaged in discussions with Manchester City about a potential return to his former role as Pep Guardiola’s assistant.

All these developments culminated in Chelsea’s decision to seek a new manager to lead the club forward. Several candidates have emerged, including former fan favorites John Terry and Cesc Fabregas.

At present, it appears that Rosenior is at the forefront of the recruitment process. Although he has never coached in the Premier League, his playing career included stints at Fulham, Reading, and Brighton. He previously served as an assistant to Wayne Rooney at Derby before taking the interim managerial role himself, and later enjoyed success with Hull City before moving to France.

Rosenior’s reputation has grown significantly in France, putting him in a position to potentially take on a significant role back in England. Chelsea seems poised to approach him, as he is associated with a team owned by the same consortium, BlueCo.

Chelsea part-owner Behdad Eghbali is reportedly leading the search for a new manager, facing criticism from a frustrated fanbase that is once again questioning the club’s trajectory as they seek their fifth permanent manager in just three years.

There are mixed opinions among supporters regarding Rosenior’s suitability for a top position at a European heavyweight, especially given his relative lack of experience. Frustration has surfaced online, particularly as Strasbourg, currently seventh in Ligue 1, faces the risk of disruption from owners who are supposed to prioritize their interests.

A source informed L’Equipe that Eghbali, Todd Boehly, and others “couldn’t care less” about the situation at Strasbourg, implying that their interest in Rosenior is indicative of their priorities. While BlueCo is expected to deny these claims, they seem ready to transition the highly-rated coach from one of their teams to another.

With a challenging match against Manchester City on the horizon, Chelsea is keen to appoint a new manager swiftly and is prepared to make difficult decisions to ensure stability at Stamford Bridge.