It has been a busy begin to the brand new yr for Chelsea. After a torrid run of type in December, the Blues’ house owners determined to sack supervisor Enzo Maresca on New Yr’s Day.
It was actually a snap determination, and regardless of rumours, it appeared that there was an opportunity he would possibly keep on the membership.
However, it wasn’t to be the case, with the Italian faraway from his publish after profitable two trophies in 2025, together with the Membership World Cup.
With under-21s supervisor Calum McFarlane set to take cost of the West Londoners towards Manchester Metropolis this weekend, the search is now on for a brand new supervisor.
Properly, rumours are already starting to accentuate about who which may be.
Chelsea’s candidates to interchange Maresca
It appears that there’s one title constantly developing relating to Maresca’s substitute within the hotseat at Stamford Bridge. That man is Liam Rosenior, who’s accountable for Chelsea’s sister membership RC Strasbourg.
Nonetheless, if a transfer for Rosenior doesn’t materialise, the membership’s house owners, BlueCo, might effectively forged the online additional afield of their seek for a brand new boss. In line with BBC Sport, one of many names in competition is Porto supervisor Francesco Farioli.
The Italian, who’s simply 36 years of age, has ‘been mooted as a possible contender’ in accordance with BBC reporters Sami Mokbel and Nizaar Kinsella.
He nonetheless has 18 months left on his contract, so it appears seemingly that Chelsea must pay compensation to carry him to West London.
Why Farioli can be an improve on Rosenior
Though Farioli has solely been at Porto since July 2025, he has already made a unbelievable begin to life in Portugal. It comes after increase popularity in Ligue 1 with OGC Good, whom he managed for a season in 2023/24, previous to becoming a member of Ajax for 2024/25.
Certainly, the beginning Farioli has made accountable for the Portuguese giants has been spectacular. In 26 matches up to now throughout all competitions, the Italian, most frequently deploying a 4-3-3 formation, has led his aspect to 22 wins.
His aspect have dominated video games, scoring 56 instances and conceding simply 13.
|
Farioli document at Porto (all comps) |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat |
Quantity |
|
Most popular formation |
4-3-3 |
|
Matches |
26 |
|
Wins |
22 |
|
Attracts |
2 |
|
Losses |
2 |
|
Objectives for |
56 |
|
Objectives towards |
13 |
|
Factors per sport (league solely) |
2.88 |
|
Stats from Transfermarkt |
|
You’ll be able to actually draw comparisons between Farioli throughout his spell at Ajax and Maresca at Chelsea. Eif Soccer’s Marc Geschwind stated the conditions at every membership had been “so comparable,” with each having to work with “incompetent administration” of their outdated roles.
Certainly, issues had been robust at instances for Maresca throughout his stint on the Bridge. There was a reported “lack of safety and interference resulting in crucial points with possession,” which Farioli might need to deal with.
His time at Ajax – which ended with a slender title miss within the Eredivisie – would possibly stand him in good stead, in that sense.
Rosenior, in the meantime, has accomplished effectively at Strasburg through the 18 months he’s managed the membership.
Final time period, he guided Le Racing to seventh in Ligue 1, steering them to the Convention League and taking part in some wonderful soccer alongside the way in which.
His document total for the membership is actually spectacular. In 62 video games on the membership up to now, he’s gained 32 and misplaced simply 16 instances.
The London-born supervisor has actually accomplished effectively in Ligue 1, and it could be a easy deal for the Blues to do, with Strasbourg being a BlueCo membership.
Nonetheless, it’s maybe much less dangerous to nominate Farioli. Not solely has he managed in Ligue 1, thus leaving him with comparable expertise to Rosenior, however the Italian’s work with Porto has proven he can dominate a league on the highest stage.
That’s, in fact, the last word objective for Chelsea. They need to be a possession-heavy, free-flowing aspect who’re in a position to hold issues tight on the again. In a brief few months in Portugal, Farioli has proven he can try this.
Rosenior may be the protected choice. But, maybe the Porto boss, who’s extra used to working underneath a stricter regime, has soccer that’s extra scalable to a prime aspect, which Chelsea are hoping to be.
Dream Rosenior different: Chelsea contemplating the “finest coach within the PL”
This supervisor might be Chelsea’s excellent Maresca substitute
