The departure of Enzo Maresca from the position of coach of Chelsea Football Club generated an impact at the beginning of 2026, not only because of the sporting moment but also because of the reactions within the squad. Enzo FernandezArgentine midfielder and one of the leaders of the London team, posted a message on his account Instagram to fire the technicianafter the board made the separation official due to recent results.
“Mister, thank you for everything you shared and experienced in this stage, I learned a lot and I value every advice and experience. I wish you and your coaching staff, Willy, Dani, Robi, Marcos and Mickey the best. We won two titles together that I will never forget. Many successes for you and I hope we cross paths again. A hug,” shared the footballer. The Italian, as strategist of the Blue team, won the Conference League and the Club World Cup in the United States.
The club’s decision was made after a series of adverse results in the Premier League, with only one victory in the last seven games. According to D.aily Mailthe board considered that a change in management was necessary to get back on track and maintain the aspirations of qualifying for the next Champions League.
The relationship between the Italian coach and the management ended up marked by internal tensions. The breakup was precipitated by a dispute with the medical department, differences over the management of injured players and a controversial decision by Maresca not to attend a post-match press conference, citing illness. The board interpreted this absence as an unprofessional and disrespectful act. In addition, versions emerged about the coach’s possible interest in returning to Manchester City, where he was Pep Guardiola’s assistant.
Regarding the future of the bench, the leadership’s attention quickly focused on the search for a replacement. According to BBC Sports, The main candidate is Liam Rosenior, current coach of Racing Strasbourg. The English coach previously coached Hull City and has just finished seventh in the last Ligue 1 with Racing, a team that participates in the Conference League and stands out for its player development, locker room management and a playing style that prioritizes intensity, pressure and possession.
A relevant aspect is that Racing Strasbourg belongs to the same economic group that controls Chelsea, which would facilitate an eventual negotiation. However, the reaction of French fans to a possible departure of their coach in the middle of the season is unknown.
Other alternatives that the British press handled include Roberto de Zerbi, currently at Olympique de Marseille; Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna; Francesco Farioli of FC Porto; and Frank Lampard, a historical figure of the London club. Lampard has already coached Chelsea in two stages and today works at Coventry City, a team in the English second division.
The site The Athletic He ruled out Oliver Glasner from Crystal Palace, while Argentine Willy Caballero, Maresca’s assistant, could take charge of the team on an interim basis if the appointment is delayed.
Maresca’s departure occurs in the middle of a demanding season. Chelsea played nine games in the last month and the team showed signs of wear and tear, with two wins in their last nine games. The board had planned an evaluation of the project at the end of the cycle, but the drop in performance accelerated the decision. Currently, the club is in fifth place in the Premier League, 15 points behind leaders Arsenal, after drawing 2-2 against Bournemouth at home. Furthermore, in the Champions League they appear in 13th place, eight points behind the leader Arsenal. This position puts him in qualifying positions for the playoffs.
