Who will replace Enzo Maresca at Chelsea? Xavi, Liam Rosenior, Cesc Fabregas and Francesco Farioli all assessed
By James Hilsum
Published 01/01/2026 at 13:58 GMT
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There will soon be another manager in the hotseat at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea and Enzo Maresca parted ways on New Year's Day. A series of names have already been linked with the job, as the club looks to make a swift replacement for the Italian. Some Premier League managers have been linked with the job, alongside several up-and-coming young coaches.
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Enzo Maresca became the latest Premier League managerial casualty of the season after being sacked as Chelsea head coach on New Year’s Day.
Maresca’s final match in charge came in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge, leaving The Blues fifth in the table.
His tenure at Stamford Bridge ended acrimoniously, but he will be remembered for steering the club to UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup success last season.
With the Italian’s 18-month stint in charge now over, attention turns towards who the Blues' hierarchy will bring in as Maresca’s replacement.
It is a job which continues to pull in links with some of football's biggest names, but a rising managerial star is also in contention this time round.
With the above in mind, we take a look at who could be the next man sitting in the dugout.
Xavi
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Xavi Hernandez is speaking during the press conference prior to the LaLiga match against Sevilla FC, in Barcelona, Spain, on May 25, 2024. (Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport /NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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The legendary former Barcelona captain is one leading contender to take over from Maresca.
It would be one of the most eye-catching appointments The Blues could make, but his complete lack of experience in the Premier League is an obvious pitfall.
But an obvious factor in favour of the Spaniard's appointment concerns no compensation fee needing to be paid.
The 45-year-old has been out of work since leaving his beloved Barca in May 2024, and the manner of that exit will leave Xavi with a point to prove.
After initially reversing his decision to leave the club at the end of that season, he was subsequently sacked and will surely be champing at the bit to manage at the highest level again.
Xavi's secured a La Liga title during his time as a manager at the Camp Nou, and the lure of the Premier League might be too hard to resist.
Liam Rosenior
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The former Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion defender is widely known as one of the best young and upcoming coaches in Europe.
Rosenior seamlessly made the transition into coaching, enhancing his reputation at Derby County after briefly taking the reins as interim manager after Wayne Rooney’s departure.
After an impressive first permanent stint at former club Hull City, Rosenior moved on to Strasbourg and led the club to European qualification last season.
Being under the same BlueCo umbrella is an obvious selling point, and Rosenior’s progress this season has reportedly impressed the Chelsea hierarchy.
The Alsace outfit are well-placed to make a push for European qualification again this season, and they also finished top of the Conference League table with five wins from six league phase games.
There are certainly bigger names in contention for the job, but bringing in someone with Rosenior’s burgeoning character could be a shrewd decision. Reports in England have pegged Rosenior as the leading contender.
Francesco Farioli
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Francesco Farioli, head coach of FC Porto, reacts during the Liga Portugal Betclic 2025/26 match between FC Porto and AVS at Estadio do Dragao in Porto, Portugal, on December 29, 2025. (Photo by Miguel Lemos/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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The FC Porto coach is another name being touted for the job following a report in the Telegraph.
The 36-year-old only arrived at the club in July 2025, replacing Martin Anselmi in the hotseat.
He has led the Dragons to the top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga, having won 15 and drawn one of their first 16 games of the season.
This comes after spells at Ajax and at Nice, leading the latter to a fifth-place finish in Ligue 1 and Europa League qualification.
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Any move to bring the Italian to Stamford Bridge would be very costly, though, with his buy-out clause set at an eye-watering £13 million.
Cesc Fabregas
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ROME, ITALY - DECEMBER 15: Head coach Cesc Fàbregas of Como 1907 applauds after the Serie A match between AS Roma and Como 1907 at Stadio Olimpico on December 15, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images)
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The former Chelsea midfielder has made an impressive start to life as a manager with Serie A side Como.
His tactical nous has been admired, and his team have made an impressive start to the Serie A season, sitting sixth in the table.
This comes after leading the Lombardy outfit to a tenth-place finish in 2024/25, which was their highest finish since finishing ninth in the 1985/86 campaign.
Fabregas’ appointment would certainly be an eye-catching one, and is held in similar regard to Rosenior.
A heftier compensation fee could also be needed, considering the 38-year-old has more than two years left on his managerial contract at Como.
Andoni Iraola
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LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 30: Head Coach Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth after his sides 2-2 draw during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on December 30, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
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One of the Premier League's brightest young managerial talents has made a name for himself at Bournemouth.
Following his appointment at Vitality Stadium, Iraola has led the club to consecutive record Premier League points tallies.
Iraola's current contract in Dorset expires at the end of this season, meaning any compensation fee is likely to be minimal.
There is also somewhat of a sweet irony to Iraola’s appointment, given the Spaniard was in the opposing dugout for Maresca’s final game in charge.
Could he be tempted to make the move to the capital? Time will tell.
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