Chelsea are already weighing up a surprise option to succeed Enzo Maresca, with reports claiming the Blues are seriously considering highly-rated Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior. The decision comes after the west London club confirmed on New Year’s Day that they had parted ways with Maresca, ending his tenure less than two years after his appointment.
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While several established names have been linked with the vacancy, Chelsea’s hierarchy is said to be open to an unconventional appointment — even though Rosenior has never managed a Premier League side. The 41-year-old Englishman is currently in charge of Strasbourg, a club also owned by BlueCo, and is viewed internally as a coach whose ideas align closely with Chelsea’s long-term vision.
Maresca dismissed after disappointing end to 2025
Pressure had been building on Maresca for weeks following a dramatic dip in results towards the end of 2025. Chelsea managed just two wins from eight matches across all competitions in December, with one of those victories coming against League One opposition Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup.
In Premier League terms, the Blues collected only a single win during that period — a home success against Everton — as performances became increasingly inconsistent. While Maresca had delivered tangible success last season by guiding Chelsea to Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup triumphs, along with Champions League qualification, that credit gradually eroded as results worsened.
Chelsea confirmed his departure with immediate effect on January 1, making yet another managerial change under the Clearlake Capital–Todd Boehly ownership.
Public comments reportedly sealed Maresca’s fate
According to TEAMtalk, Maresca’s position became untenable after the remarks he made ahead of Chelsea’s win over Everton. The Italian appeared to suggest that he lacked sufficient backing behind the scenes, comments that reportedly caught the club’s hierarchy off guard.
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It is claimed that owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali were both “shocked and annoyed” by the public nature of Maresca’s remarks. Sources suggest it was made clear internally that the ownership would not tolerate public criticism of the club’s leadership structure.
Those comments are believed to have played a decisive role in Maresca’s dismissal, with his goodwill from earlier successes having “all but disappeared” by the turn of the year.
Chelsea identifies Rosenior as an internal solution
With Maresca gone, Chelsea’s attention has quickly turned to potential replacements. Reports indicate that there is a growing belief within BlueCo that they already employ a coach capable of stepping up to the Stamford Bridge hot seat — Liam Rosenior.
Currently in charge of Strasbourg, Rosenior has earned praise for his work in Ligue 1, where his side sit seventh in the table, narrowly outside the European qualification places. Despite his lack of Premier League managerial experience, Chelsea values his modern coaching philosophy and willingness to develop young talent.
Rosenior has previously spoken openly about his footballing principles, stressing his commitment to possession-based play, building from the back, and encouraging players to express themselves — even if mistakes occur along the way.
Rosenior’s coaching journey and philosophy
Before moving into management, Rosenior enjoyed a solid Premier League playing career with clubs including Fulham, Reading, Hull City, and Brighton. His coaching path began at Derby County, where he worked as assistant to Wayne Rooney before later taking over as head coach.
Although he has never managed in England’s top flight, Rosenior’s work in France has enhanced his reputation, particularly within Chelsea’s ownership group. He is under contract at Strasbourg until 2028, but that is unlikely to be a major obstacle should Chelsea decide to formalise their interest.
Speaking previously about management, Rosenior has highlighted the mental and emotional demands of the role, admitting that learning to manage himself has been as important as managing his players. His emphasis on process over short-term results is seen as a natural fit for Chelsea’s long-term project.
Decision looms as Chelsea plan next step
With Chelsea preparing for a demanding second half of the season, the club is keen to move swiftly. Whether Rosenior is handed the reins immediately or remains a longer-term option remains to be seen, but his name is now firmly in the frame.
What is clear is that Chelsea’s board is once again prepared to think differently — even if that means entrusting the club to a manager who has yet to prove himself in the Premier League spotlight.
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