{"id":18985,"date":"2026-01-01T14:20:39","date_gmt":"2026-01-01T14:20:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/01\/who-will-replace-enzo-maresca-at-chelsea-xavi-liam-roseniol-cesc-fabregas-and-francesco-faglioli-all-rated\/"},"modified":"2026-01-01T14:20:39","modified_gmt":"2026-01-01T14:20:39","slug":"who-will-replace-enzo-maresca-at-chelsea-xavi-liam-roseniol-cesc-fabregas-and-francesco-faglioli-all-rated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/01\/who-will-replace-enzo-maresca-at-chelsea-xavi-liam-roseniol-cesc-fabregas-and-francesco-faglioli-all-rated\/","title":{"rendered":"Who will replace Enzo Maresca at Chelsea? Xavi, Liam Roseniol, Cesc Fabregas and Francesco Faglioli all rated"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Rodri back and able to play ‘a few minutes’ – Pep Guardiola<\/p>\n
Video credit: SNTV<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Enzo Maresca was sacked as Chelsea head coach on New Year’s Day, becoming the latest casualty for Premier League managers this season.<\/div>\n
Maresca’s last game as manager was a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge, which left the Blues fifth.<\/div>\n
His time at Stamford Bridge ended on a sour note, but he will be remembered for leading the club to UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup success last season.<\/div>\n
Now that the Italian manager’s 18-month tenure has come to an end, all eyes will be on who the Blues’ leadership will bring in to replace Maresca.<\/p>\n
The job continues to be linked to some of the biggest names in football, but this time up-and-coming managerial stars are also in contention.<\/p>\n
With the above in mind, let’s take a look at who will be sitting in the dugout next.<\/p>\n
Xavi<\/h2>\n
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Xavi Hern\u00e1ndez speaks at a press conference before the LaLiga match against Sevilla FC on May 25, 2024 in Barcelona, \u200b\u200bSpain. (Photo by Joan Valls\/Urbanandsport \/NurPhoto via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
The legendary former Barcelona captain is one of the leading candidates to replace Maresca.<\/p>\n
This would be one of the most high-profile appointments the Blues could make, but his complete lack of Premier League experience is an obvious pitfall.<\/p>\n
But the obvious factor in favor of the Spaniard’s appointment is that he won’t have to pay compensation.<\/p>\n
The 45-year-old has been out of work since leaving his beloved Bar\u00e7a in May 2024, and the manner in which he leaves will leave Xavi with a point to prove.<\/p>\n
Although he initially reversed his decision to leave the club at the end of the season and was subsequently sacked, there is no doubt that he will become a champion and return to manage at the highest level.<\/p>\n
Xavi won the La Liga title during his time as Camp Nou manager, so the lure of the Premier League may be hard to resist.<\/p>\n
liam rosenia<\/h2>\n
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After placing his identity in Strasbourg, much attention is focused on Rosenior – Ward<\/p>\n
Video credit: TNT Sports<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The former Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion defender is widely regarded as one of the best young coaches in Europe.<\/p>\n
Rosenior briefly took over as caretaker manager following the departure of Wayne Rooney, before making a seamless transition into leadership and building a reputation at Derby County. <\/p>\n
After an impressive first permanent move with former club Hull City, Rosenior moved to Strasbourg and led the club to European qualification last season.<\/p>\n
Being under the same BlueCo umbrella is an obvious selling point, and Rosenior’s progress this season has reportedly impressed the Chelsea hierarchy. <\/p>\n
The Alsatian team remains in a strong position to qualify for Europe this season, finishing first in the conference league with five wins out of six league games.<\/p>\n
There are certainly big names competing for the job, but bringing in someone with Rosenior’s burgeoning character might be a smart move. According to reports in England, Rosenior is listed as the frontrunner. <\/p>\n
Francesco Farioli<\/h2>\n
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FC Porto coach Francesco Faglioli reacts during the Liga Portugal 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)<\/p>\n
FC Porto’s coach is also being looked at for the job following a report in the Telegraph.<\/div>\n
The 36-year-old had only arrived at the club in July 2025, replacing Martin Anselmi.<\/p>\n
He led the Dragons to the top of Portugal’s Primeira Liga, winning 15 of the first 16 games of the season and drawing one.<\/p>\n
This followed spells at Ajax and Nice, with the latter finishing fifth in Ligue 1 and qualifying for the Europa League.<\/p>\n
But bringing the Italian to Stamford Bridge would be very expensive. The takeover clause has been set at an eye-watering \u00a313m.<\/p>\n
Cesc Fabregas<\/h2>\n
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ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 15: Como 1907 coach Cesc Fabregas 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)<\/p>\n
The former Chelsea midfielder has made a great start as manager at Serie A side Como.<\/p>\n
His tactical talent has been praised and the team made an excellent start to the Serie A season, finishing in 6th place.<\/p>\n
This comes after the Lombardy team finished 10th in the 2024\/25 season, their best result since they finished 9th in 1985\/86.<\/p>\n
Fabregas’ appointment will certainly attract attention, but he is viewed in a similar way to Rosenior.<\/p>\n
Given that the 38-year-old has more than two years left on his managerial contract with Como, he may need to be paid more.<\/p>\n
Andoni Iraola<\/h2>\n
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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 30: Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on December 30, 2025 in London, England. (Photo credit: Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth\/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
One of the Premier League’s most talented young managers has made a name for himself at Bournemouth.<\/p>\n
After taking over at the Vitality Stadium, Iraola led the club to consecutive Premier League goalscoring records.<\/p>\n
Iraola’s current contract with Dorset expires at the end of this season, so any compensation is likely to be minimal.<\/p>\n
There is also a bit of pleasant irony in Iraola’s appointment, given that the Spaniard was in the opposing team’s dugout in Maresca’s last game as manager.<\/p>\n
Will he be tempted to move to the capital? Time will tell.<\/p>\n
Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Serie A, Men’s and Women’s FA Cups and more on TNT Sports and Discovery+. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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