Chelsea eye unlikely Maresca successor as four names ruled out

Chelsea will reportedly announce a replacement for Enzo Maresca “imminently” after parting ways with their former head coach on Thursday.

The Italian led the west London outfit to glory in the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup as well as UEFA Champions League qualification in his first season. But he departed Stamford Bridge following a breakdown in relations with the club’s hierarchy and a deterioration in results over the past month.

Maresca informed the club that he had spoken with both Manchester City and Juventus about potentially taking up the head coaching role at those clubs, which did not go down well with the board.

The Blues now turn their attention towards finding a successor who “gives the team the best chance of getting the season back on track”.

Chelsea eye unlikely Maresca successor as four names ruled out

The Athletic reported early on Thursday that Liam Rosenior is a candidate to take over the vacant role. The RC Strasbourg manager is now said to be the frontrunner for the job.

No other candidate appears to be creditably linked with the position, with Sky Sports News claiming that Chelsea are “unlikely to pursue” Oliver Glasner, Cesc Fabregas, Andoni Iraola or Roberto De Zerbi.

The report adds that the club expect to announce his replacement “imminently”, with a new manager possibly arriving “in a matter of days”.

Rosenior would be an unexpected appointment given his lack of managerial experience in the English top flight, but he is a highly-rated coach following stints at Derby County, Hull City and currently Strasbourg. The French club are owned by BlueCo, the same company that owns Chelsea.

Read – Enzo Maresca sacked: Truth behind Chelsea decision revealed