It’s rare that a Premier League job opens to start the new year where a team is not only still alive in the Champions League but also firmly in the race for a top-four position, but business has been anything but normal at Chelsea over the past few seasons. After winning the Europa Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup last season, manager Enzo Maresca has departed the club by mutual consent, opening quite a role at Stamford Bridge. The Blues will now look for their seventh manager since 2020 (including interim managers), but the top target could already be in scope.
Let’s take a look at who the Blues may be taking a look at to replace Maresca:
Liam Rosenior, Strasbourg
Already in the BlueCo ecosystem that has sent players to Chelsea, it’s hard not to consider the French side when looking at the potential next steps for the Blues, which is also why he’s the leading candidate for the job, according to The Athletic. While Andrey Santos is the only current member of the Chelsea squad to have spent time at the French club, there is a strong development aspect of sending Chelsea prospects abroad to spend time under Liam Rosenior. With the two clubs under BlueCo, the connection is already there.
The English manager has had a lengthy playing career while also spending time managing Hull City after hanging up his boots, before taking over the French club in 2024. While Strasbourg are currently in the Europa Conference League, there are valid concerns about whether a jump into the pressure cooker that is Chelsea may be a step too far for him as a manager at this stage. His side are eighth in the Ligue 1 table but have struggled in recent matches, only winning four of their last 10 matches in all competitions before the winter break. Knowing the system would still come as a plus due to Rosenior having a quicker settling-in period, but if it meant looking over more experienced options, that could keep Chelsea out of Europe next season.
Filipe Luis, Flamengo
Thriving in his first managerial job at Flamengo in Brazil, Filipe Luis has a rising managerial star. His side had a strong run at the Club World Cup, but he was also able to win the league and the Copa Libertadores in 2025. While Filipe Luis would have similar concerns of not having managed a top European club, his time at Atletico Madrid as a player and coaching players such as Jorginho currently will add to his ability to command a locker room at Chelsea. His expansive playing style is also something that could suit the Blues while keeping the possession-based approach that they developed under Maresca.
Cesc Fabregas, Como
Pushing for Champions League soccer with Como, it feels like only a matter of time until Cesc Fabregas ends up at a massive job. Already linked to Inter when they hired Cristian Chivu, the former Chelsea midfielder would be one of the top names that they could get for the role — if he were open to leaving the club midseason, that is. With where Chelsea are, they can’t afford an interim manager or waiting for their guy, so Fabregas’ loyalty to Como could come at the expense of a club like Chelsea, who need a manager right now.
Fabregas’ success with youth players like Nico Paz is something that could fit right in at Stamford Bridge, but the timing of a match here feels just slightly off.
Frank Lampard, Coventry
Is the third time the charm? You can’t mention Chelsea managers without mentioning Lampard, who has had two spells in charge of the club since 2019. He is on track for a return to the Premier League with Coventry City, but if he could take over a club like Chelsea, that’s still preferable to hoping that he could avoid relegation next season if the Sky Blues get to the Premier League. While it’s unlikely that Chelsea would go after Lampard yet again, it’s happened enough that it has to be in the realm of comprehension.
Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace
Rising up the managerial rankings by the day with Crystal Palace, Glasner is someone else who should be in consideration for Chelsea. He has already won a European title with Eintracht Frankfurt, and between his time there and at Wolfsburg, Glasner has shown that he can manage at top levels by also winning the FA Cup last season. A pragmatic manager who is comfortable changing his style depending on who is available and the opposition, Glasner would be among the top names that the Blues could net, but availability, looking to do this in January again, comes as an issue.
