Enzo Maresca’s future at Chelsea looks increasingly uncertain after a damaging loss to Bournemouth dropped the club to fifth in the Premier League and extended a poor run of one win in seven matches. Despite delivering two trophies in his first season, tensions between the Italian coach and the club’s hierarchy have fueled speculation about his future. With uncertainty growing at Stamford Bridge, attention is already shifting to who could step in if the role becomes vacant.
Who Should Replace Enzo Maresca at Chelsea?
Chelsea’s board and Maresca reportedly have deep-rooted issues, and The Telegraph has reported that the manager could be set to leave soon. The Italian joined the club in the summer of 2024 and finished his first season with the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Conference League.
With the Stamford Bridge side set to be searching for a replacement, PFSN takes a close look at the best options for Blue Co.
Liam Rosenior
Rosenior has been performing well at Strasbourg and is likely to be the top choice for fans and board members alike. He is familiar with Blue Co.’s methods and will be aware of their interest in appointing him as the manager of their leading club.
The 41-year-old has not managed in the Premier League, but does have experience of English football. He was an interim at Derby County in 2022, before taking over at Hull City for 18 months.
Xavi
The Barcelona legend has been without a club since leaving the Catalan side in 2024 and could be in the mix soon. In Spain, he worked with young players on a limited budget, which is precisely what the Blues would be looking for in their next manager.
The former midfielder has also demonstrated that his goal is to play attacking soccer, which would suit the squad setup at Stamford Bridge. The 45-year-old began his managerial career at Al Sadd in Qatar, where he won seven trophies, and later went on to win two more at Barcelona.
Julian Nagelsmann
Nagelsmann is currently with the German national team and is unlikely to be available if the Premier League side sacks Maresca before the end of the season. However, the former RB Leipzig coach could be lured in the summer after the FIFA World Cup.
The German was in talks with the club previously but was unable to secure the job, losing out to Mauricio Pochettino in 2023. He is another young manager who excels with the squad assembled for him, and that suits the bill at Chelsea, where the Sporting Directors decide which players to sign.
