Chelsea have officially parted ways with head coach Enzo Maresca after just 18 months in charge, with Liam Rosenior now emerging as the clear favourite to succeed him at Stamford Bridge.
The decision was confirmed on New Year’s Day following an internal review by Chelsea’s hierarchy. While speculation had been building throughout the morning, the club moved quickly and decisively, announcing Maresca’s departure shortly after midday — just three days before a crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City.
In an official statement, Chelsea said:
“Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have parted company.
“During his time at the club, Enzo led the team to success in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup. Those achievements will remain an important part of the club’s recent history, and we thank him for his contributions.”
Maresca’s final game in charge was a frustrating 2-2 draw against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night. That result brought the curtain down on a spell that included a fourth-place Premier League finish to secure Champions League qualification, as well as silverware in the form of the lucrative FIFA Club World Cup during the summer.
Attention has now turned swiftly to his replacement, with Liam Rosenior receiving heavy backing from bookmakers. The 39-year-old is currently priced at 4/11 to take over, making him the standout frontrunner for the job.
Rosenior is presently in charge of Strasbourg, one of Chelsea’s sister clubs within the BlueCo multi-club ownership model. He has impressed this season by guiding the French side to seventh place in Ligue 1, while also overseeing a strong Conference League campaign that saw Strasbourg finish top of the league phase.
If appointed, Rosenior’s move would mark another strategic internal shift within the BlueCo network — and potentially signal a new direction for Chelsea as they look to stabilize and build for the future.