Six potential successors for Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, including a former Championship manager

Enzo Maresca left his role as Chelsea manager on New Year's Day with the club sitting fifth in the Premier League.

The Italian, 45, departed less than six months after winning the FIFA Club World Cup at the end of his first season in charge but the Blues will look to act swiftly to appoint his successor.

Here, DAZN News reporter Ross Heppenstall takes a look at the leading contenders to fill the Stamford Bridge hot-seat.

Liam Rosenior

The former Derby County and Hull City boss is the hot favourite, having attracted plenty of admirers for his work at his current club Strasbourg.

Significantly, the French club are owned by Chelsea's parent company BlueCo and that could help to facilitate a switch to the Stamford Bridge dug-out.

Rosenior, 41, is an intelligent, thoughtful young manager and was harshly sacked by Hull after they narrowly missed out on the Championship play-offs in 2023-24.

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Oliver Glasner

What the Austrian has achieved at Crystal Palace has been the stuff of fairytales.

Last season, the Eagles won their first major trophy after Glasner guided them to victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

They won the Community Shield before this season kicked off, but Glasner's contract expires in the summer and he has been linked with numerous clubs.

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Andoni Iraola

The Spaniard has impressed hugely since being appointed at Bournemouth in June 2023.

As his star continues to rise, Iraola has been linked with several bigger clubs in recent times.

It is easy to see why Chelsea would be interested in him - he has achieved club-record points tallies in his two seasons with the Cherries.

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Xavi

The iconic former Spain midfielder is currently a free agent, having been out of work since leaving Barcelona in May 2024.

Xavi, 45, began his managerial career with Qatari club Al Sadd before moving to the Nou Camp in 2021.

He is a Barcelona legend after a glittering playing career, which also saw him win a World Cup and European Championships with Spain.

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Cesc Fabregas

The ex-Arsenal man enjoyed plenty of success at Chelsea, winning two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and the Europa League during his time at Stamford Bridge.

Now a highly regarded manager at Serie A side Como, Fabregas seems destined for a big move at some point.

If the Chelsea job passes him by, expect his star to continue rising at Como.

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John Terry

A rank outsider to succeed Maresca, the former Chelsea captain is arguably the greatest player in the club's modern history.

He is currently working on a part-time basis with the Blues' academy sides after being rejected for a number of senior managerial roles.

Terry, 45, took to social media to address Maresca's departure on Thursday, saying: “I’m disappointed with the news but there’s still loads to play for this season, Champions League, Premier League and Carabao Cup, so whoever comes in has a lot to play for.”

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