Petr Čech’s Return to the Field and Chelsea’s Coaching Developments

omidbasir- Petr Čech experienced significant success during his tenure at Chelsea, playing alongside former England captain John Terry at Stamford Bridge. From 2004 to 2015, he made 494 appearances for the Blues, securing four Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy. Regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in the history of the English top flight, Čech concluded his distinguished playing career at Arsenal in 2019.

Since retiring, Čech has taken up ice hockey and participated in occasional exhibition matches, including a notable game between Chelsea and Liverpool legends in the summer of 2025. Recently, he returned to the pitch for a six-a-side competition at the Copper Box Arena in London, donning his iconic protective cap. Invited by Terry, now the manager of the 26ers team, Čech stepped in as a backup goalkeeper after the team’s regular starter, Serine Sanneh, sustained an injury.

The 26ers, seeking to maintain their chances for the 2025-26 Baller League UK crown, faced Rukkas FC, securing a victory to keep their hopes alive, despite later drawing 2-2. Čech, however, faced a challenging moment when he was outmaneuvered by an exceptional goal, highlighted as a ‘goal of the season’ contender by the Baller League, leaving him momentarily stunned.

Finishing the regular season in fifth place, just one point shy of the top four, the 26ers’ performance is a point of disappointment for Terry, who has been an active presence at their matches this season.

Meanwhile, Chelsea is in the process of appointing a new permanent manager after parting ways with Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day. Under Maresca, Chelsea had achieved triumphs in the Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup in 2025.

Terry has been mentioned as a suitable candidate for the managerial position, having previously served as an assistant coach at Aston Villa. Television presenter Richard Keys expressed on social media that he believes Terry deserves a chance, emphasizing his deep ties to Chelsea and his potential to succeed like Frank Lampard, who is currently managing Coventry.

However, Terry has distanced himself from the notion of returning to Chelsea in a recent TikTok video, expressing surprise at Maresca’s dismissal and acknowledging the tension that had been evident between the manager and the club’s ownership. He clarified that he is not involved with the first team and is unaware of the latest developments.

Chelsea, after a dramatic 1-1 draw against Manchester City under the temporary management of U21 boss Calum McFarlane, is expected to appoint Liam Rosenior, a former manager of Derby and Hull City, who has been working with their sister club in France, Strasbourg.