Chelsea’s Coaching Crisis: Maresca’s Departure and Future Prospects

Disillusioned home fans expressed their dissatisfaction following the Cherries’ draw at Stamford Bridge on December 30. At that point, Enzo Maresca was already under scrutiny regarding his future, having publicly criticized an alleged lack of support leading up to a Premier League match against Everton.

These remarks did not sit well with the Chelsea board, who felt their efforts were being undermined. It has since come to light that Maresca engaged in discussions with Manchester City and Juventus regarding potential future roles at these prestigious clubs.

Maresca’s position quickly became untenable, compelling Todd Boehly and the Chelsea management to make a decision. Ultimately, the coaching change was confirmed at the beginning of 2026, prompting Chelsea to seek a new head coach. They are reportedly interested in Liam Rosenior, who currently manages Ligue 1 club Strasbourg, one of Chelsea’s sister clubs.

Fabrizio Romano indicated that movement within the club could have occurred at the end of 2025, stating that the draw against Bournemouth may have been the tipping point that made it clear Maresca and Chelsea could not continue together. Romano noted that Maresca did not attend the press conference following the match, not due to illness or personal issues, but because he expressed to Chelsea’s directors and owners his desire to leave the club directly after the game.

Maresca felt that the situation was unlikely to improve. Chelsea shared this sentiment, which contributed to their decision to part ways. The atmosphere had been tense in recent weeks, exacerbated by poor results, but it was not solely about those results; various factors, including club strategy and transfer policies, played a significant role.

A pivotal moment in the decline of Maresca’s relationship with Chelsea occurred when Levi Colwill, one of the club’s standout players, suffered a severe injury in the summer. Maresca publicly stated that he required a new center-back to maintain competitiveness across multiple tournaments. However, Chelsea’s management opted to retain their existing squad and invest in younger players like Josh Acheampong, leading to increased friction between Maresca and the board. This situation ultimately culminated in the decision to terminate his contract.

As Maresca awaits enticing opportunities to return to management, he currently has no openings at either Manchester City or Juventus. He may need to consider another interim position before potentially moving to one of these high-profile clubs.

Meanwhile, Chelsea finds itself in the familiar position of needing to fill their vacant managerial role. Reports suggest that the club may once again prioritize youthful potential over established experience, with Rosenior appearing to fit this emerging profile.