Zinedine Zidane and Jurgen Klopp Update Emerges as Enzo Maresca Leaves Chelsea

A number of high-profile names have emerged as potential candidates to succeed Enzo Maresca after Chelsea decided to part ways with the Italian following an 18-month spell in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca, who was appointed Chelsea head coach in June 2024 on a five-year contract, said goodbye to his players on Thursday morning before an official statement emerged to confirm his departure.

As well as pointing out their Conference League and Club World Cup successes under his leadership, the club appeared to address a poor run of results as one of the reasons behind their decision to part ways with the 45-year-old.

"With key objectives still to play for across four competitions including qualification for Champions League football, Enzo and the Club believe a change gives the team the best chance of getting the season back on track," the statement said.

Instead of appointing an interim until the end of the 2025-26 season, Chelsea will work quickly to appoint a permanent replacement for Maresca from a shortlist of candidates, according to The Telegraph. So, who is in contention?

Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior is said to be one of the leading candidates following an impressive spell at the Ligue 1 side.

🇫🇷 Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior is linked with the Chelsea job.

Since taking over at the French club in July 2024, he’s won exactly half of his 62 games in charge. Impressively this season he led his side to top of the Conference League table with five wins from six #blueco pic.twitter.com/Tzbt0s8VAC

— English Players Abroad (@EnglishAbroad1) January 1, 2026

Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola and former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas are also priced up by the bookies as favourites.

However, it appears a handful of potential candidates have been ruled out, with a report from The Telegraph suggesting Chelsea are not expected to go for a so-called 'star name', which rules out the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Zinedine Zidane.

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One of the 'main issues' which led to Enzo Maresca's sudden departure from Chelsea emerges

Maresca had been under mounting pressure over the past few weeks. Chelsea have only won once in their last seven Premier League matches, and were booed off at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night when Bournemouth held them to a 2-2 draw.

Shortly after his exit was confirmed, journalist Ben Jacobs revealed that Maresca's relationship with the club may have soured due to the medical department.

Taking to X, he wrote: "More on Enzo Maresca's Chelsea departure. Club and Jorge Mendes were working on an exit package from last night. Chelsea board unanimous a change was needed.

"Understand one of the main issues was between Maresca and Chelsea's medical department. Chelsea insistent that decisions over player workload and welfare must be autonomous from the manager. From Maresca's perspective, he felt a lack of protection and interference leading to critical issues with ownership."

Jacobs added: "As revealed, Maresca wasn’t sick after Bournemouth. He didn’t want to speak as he assessed future. Also understand Manchester City and Maresca have also held some talks already. This came as a surprise to many within the Chelsea hierarchy, with some feeling the Italian was distracted."