Chelsea manager position: the three best possible candidates

The new year has brought old familiar problems to Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Maresca, hired in the summer of 2024 to bring stability to the club, has now parted ways with the Blues.

Although he guided the Premier League side to Club World Cup and UEFA Conference League triumphs, his stay at Stamford Bridge was cut short due to disagreements between him and the board.

With the Blues sitting fifth in the Premier League table, Cobham insiders describe a broken relationship between the Italian head coach and the sporting hierarchy.

Maresca’s refusal to perform post-match press duties after the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth was seen as the final straw for the hierarchy.

With the atmosphere becoming toxic, Chelsea wasted no time in searching for potential replacements.

Candidates to become next Chelsea boss

We look at the three possible candidates who could become Chelsea’s next manager.

1. Liam Rosenior (Strasbourg)

The most logical, albeit controversial, option lies in the BlueCo multi-club network. Liam Rosenior has been a real revelation since taking the reins at Chelsea’s sister club, RC Strasbourg.

Under his leadership, Strasbourg currently sits 7th in Ligue 1 with one of the youngest teams in Europe’s top five leagues.

Rosenior is already fully integrated into the owners’ philosophy. He understands the recruiting model, works in perfect harmony with young talent and plays a progressive possession-based style that reflects what the board initially expected from Maresca.

2. Cesc Fabregas (Como)

The romantic choice. Cesc Fàbregas has taken Serie A by storm with Como. After winning promotion, he defied gravity by keeping the minnows in the top half of the table throughout 2025.

Chelsea intermediaries have already made informal contacts with Fàbregas’ camp to gauge his interest in a return to the Premier League.

Fàbregas understands ‘Chelsea DNA’ intimately. As a manager, he brings elite tactical brains and instant respect from the dressing room.

However, his lack of experience in Champions League management remains a risk.

3. Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace)

If the board of directors wants a guarantee of immediate impact, Oliver Glasner is the favorite.

The Austrian performed a miracle in 2025, leading Crystal Palace to a historic FA Cup triumph and Community Shield victory.

Glasner has no plans to extend his contract at Crystal Palace, which expires in June 2026.

Glasner’s high-pressing 3-4-3 system fits Chelsea’s current team profile perfectly, particularly maximizing the production of wingers like Reece James and Malo Gusto.

Unlike Rosenior or Fàbregas, Glasner is a proven winner in England who knows how to handle the pressure of the Premier League.

Former Chelsea boss interested in sensational return to Stamford Bridge